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Tenant Resources

If Repairs Are Needed

Tenants should report needed repairs to the manager or property owner in a timely manner, as this helps owners maintain their property in compliance with health and safety codes.

Tenants may also contact Code Enforcement to request an inspection of your unit or of the building's exterior conditions or common areas. If the inspection results in a need for corrections, we will issue a correction notice to the owner. Tenants may request a copy of the notice.

If a dispute arises, see the Rental Dispute information further down this page.

Routine Inspections

Code Enforcement routinely inspects multifamily buildings, including the building exterior, common areas, and a percentage of the units. The frequency of these inspections is based upon the building's assigned service tier as detailed on the Inspection Service Tiers page and summarized below:

  • Tier 1 Buildings - Inspected every six years. Owners of Tier 1 buildings must provide all tenants with a copy of the Self-Certification Checklist within five business days of completing it.
  • Tier 2 Buildings - Inspected every five years. Use of the Self-Certification Checklist is optional and owners are not obligated to provide it to tenants.
  • Tier 3 Buildings - Inspected every three years. Use of the Self-Certification Checklist is optional and owners are not obligated to provide it to tenants.

Find the tier assignment of your building by searching the Multiple Housing Roster.

Property Owner and Tenant Responsibilities

Property Owners - Property owners must maintain buildings in compliance with San Jose Municipal Code, and specifically Housing Code, Municipal Code Chapter 17.20 and Community Preservation Ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 17.72.

Property owners also have legal obligations for tenant relocation per the circumstances outlined in Municipal Code Part 11, including due to substandard housing conditions after the City issues a notice of violation.

Tenants - Tenants must comply with San José Municipal Code 17.20.920 C and are responsible for:

  • Keep the unit clean.
  • Properly dispose of all garbage and refuse.
  • Use reasonable care when operating plumbing.
  • Do not place or store material that causes a fire hazard or could endanger others.
  • Exterminate insects, rodents, or other pests only if it is just the unit that is infested and the building itself is reasonably insect and rodent-proofed.
  • Do not store furniture, equipment or material that has insects, rodents, or other pests in it.
  • Do not allow the unit to be occupied or used in a way that violates the municipal code.

Tenant & Property Owner Shared Responsibilities - Both tenants and property owners have a role in ensuring smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Learn more in our trilingual Home Safety-Protect Your Family from Fires and Hazards brochure.

Code Enforcement Home Safety Brochure

Rental Dispute Mediation & Arbitration

For rental dispute assistance, contact the Housing Department's Rental Rights and Referrals Program at (408) 975-4480. You may wish to learn more by reading San José's Tenant Protection Ordinance, Municipal Code 17.23.1200.

Tenant Resources