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1. Are tenants responsible for providing their own Smoke Detectors or Carbon Monoxide Detector in rental properties?

No, landlords are required to provide smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector.  A smoke detector must be present on each level of the dwelling and a CO detector on the sleeping level. However, tenants are responsible for changing the batteries and notifying the owner of a faulty unit.

2. Before moving into a rental property, should an inspection be completed?

It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that rental units are inspected prior to occupancy. Inspections no longer issues stickers. Tenant can call to verify property is registered and if it has a current rental C.O.

Apply online and submit payment to office.

3. How does one license a rental property?

Apply online and submit payment to office.

4. How is a landlord notified that there is a violation?

The Department of Inspections will mail the landlord written notice that allows a reasonable amount of time for all violations to be corrected. All notifications are mailed by both regular and certified mail to the address as listed in the tax office records.

5. Must a landlord be licensed in order to rent a property?

All non-occupant landlords are required to be licensed. The Division of Housing maintains a database of all licensed properties in the City of Trenton if one wishes to verify whether a particular property is licensed.

6. What are a tenant’s responsibilities?

The tenant is expected to exercise reasonable care of the unit, which includes keeping it clean and sanitary and properly using all facilities supplied to the tenant. Remember: The tenant could be found in violation if proper care is not taken of the dwelling unit. This includes the proper disposal of garbage on collection days and the maintenance of the yard.

7. What happens if a landlord does not do the required work?

Usually the landlord will receive a notice to appear in court to give just cause why this work was not started or has not been completed. If there is not a good reason for the incomplete work, fines and penalties may be imposed by the judge.

8. What should one expect to find when moving into a rental unit?

Before moving, make sure that the apartment building is licensed with the City of Trenton by calling 609-989-3563. If there is a sticker, the landlord is required to provide a clean, habitable living unit. Be sure to check to make sure that the apartment meets the renter's needs as well as the conditions in the following locations:

• Basement - Look for dirt, trash, leaks (or evidence of leaks), loose wires, broken windows, crumbling walls, and termites.
• Bathroom - Check the water pressure, for hot and cold water, and look for leaks. Make sure that the toilet works. Check for loose tiles on the walls and floor, and check for evidence of infestation.
• Ceiling - Check the ceiling and walls for water leak stains, dampness, loose plaster, holes, or cracks.
• Doors - Check for dead-bolt locks on the entrance door and ensure that they are weather tight.
• Electricity - Make sure that the light switches and fixtures work. There should be covers on all outlets and light switches. Take a lamp and try all of the outlets, and look for hanging or open wires. It is sometimes not possible to check the working condition of electrical switches and outlets since the power may have been shut off in the apartment.
• Floors - Look for rotten wood, loose tiles, splinters, and water stains.
• Heat - Turn on the heating system and make sure that it works properly, even if you rent in the summer. Ask about the last time that the heating unit was serviced.
• Kitchen - Check the water pressure, for hot and cold water, and for leaks. There should be a stove and refrigerator properly connected to the appropriate utility; check for evidence of infestation.
• Paint - Look in all rooms to make sure paint is fresh; make sure that walls are smooth and able to be cleaned.
• Smoke detectors - Check for installation on all levels and make sure they work properly.
• Windows - Check the locks, screens, glass, and frames and weatherproofing.

9. Who is responsible for heat and utilities?

Usually the responsibility is agreed upon in the lease. Whenever a dwelling is heated by means of a furnace, boiler or other heating apparatus under the control of the owner or operator of the dwelling, such owner or operator, in the absence of a written contract or agreement to the contrary, shall be deemed to have contracted, undertaken or bound himself or herself to furnish heat in accordance with the provisions of this subsection to every dwelling unit which contains radiators, furnace heat duct outlets or other heating apparatus outlets. (Please see Section 12-8.17b of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Trenton for details.)