If you are a property investor or are considering investing in Miami, you need to acquaint yourself with property maintenance laws in Miami. These laws are designed to ensure that homes and apartments being put out for rent are inhabitable, safe, and structurally sound, among other requirements.
Here, we discuss Miami-Dade County’s Minimum Housing Code guidance. The county guidance applies in unincorporated Miami-Dade; confirm the applicable code and enforcement authority for a property inside a municipality.
What is the Minimum Housing Code?
The county describes the code as covering owner-occupied homes and rented homes, apartments and rooming houses with four units or fewer in unincorporated Miami-Dade. It sets minimum safety, sanitation and equipment requirements; the following is a summary of the county’s guidance.
The set of instructions or rules is divided into two portions, the owner’s responsibilities and those of the tenant. Here we list down both for your convenience.
Basic Owner and Tenant Guidelines
As per the Minimum Housing Code Miami, the owner is responsible for:
- Ensure the property is structurally sound and in good condition to survive weather conditions.
- Provide adequate water, lighting, and plumbing.
- Provide adequate, safe space heating in dwellings built after March 17, 1969; for dwellings built before that date, provide proper utility connections for heating equipment.
- Provide ample lighting and electrical outlets.
- Ensure provision of safe electrical outlets.
- Make sure the house is painted and all exterior surfaces covered to prevent deterioration.
- Provide safe sanitation, and garbage disposal means.
- Ensure the house is free from insects and rodents in compliance with inhabitable housing standards set by law.
- Make sure the building or property is not overcrowded.
- Make sure the tenants are well aware of who to contact in case of an emergency.
- Keep the property well sanitized and clean, especially shared areas in case of multi-family housing.
As per the Minimum Housing Code Miami, tenants are responsible for:
- Make sure the building/property is clean and well sanitized during their stay.
- Ensure careful use of all the equipment and facilities provided by the owner.
- Keep plumbing free from obstructions and use the owner-provided facilities carefully. This does not transfer every maintenance obligation to the tenant.
- Eliminate rodents and insects through proper extermination.
- Dispose of garbage properly and efficiently.
- Not overcrowding the building by allowing others to occupy the property with you for extended periods.
- Make sure the building or property is always sanitary.
- Not keeping pets in a careless manner destroys the sanitary conditions of the building.
- Allow property inspection to ensure all regulations are being met and the property is well-maintained, clean, and sanitary.
- Not using unsafe cooking equipment such as gas cylinders or other cooking pots can be dangerous or can potentially damage the property.
- Do not use unsafe space-heating equipment. For dwellings built before March 17, 1969, tenants provide adequate, safe heating equipment and owners provide the proper utility connections.
Final Word
If you need more information on property maintenance laws in Miami, contact Novel Management. Our expert can not only guide you on the Minimum Housing Code Miami but can also help you make investment decisions and manage your property.
