Rental Registration & Inspection Ordinance (RRIO)
Now serving rental property owners in the city of Seattle
My name is Tyler Tachell and I am the owner and inspector of To the T Home Inspections. I have been a licensed Home Inspector since 2009 and perform a variety of inspections including home inspections for real estate transactions, HUD pest inspections and quality control inspections, construction lending progress inspections, and WDO inspections.
As a well-rounded experienced inspector, my goal for RRIO is to provide professional and efficient inspections to help the property owner’s move through the inspection process as quickly and pain free as possible.
What Is RRIO?
The Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO) was established by the Seattle City Council after an extensive public involvement process. RRIO helps ensure that all rental housing in Seattle is safe and meets basic housing maintenance requirements. Starting in 2014, all rental property owners in Seattle must register their properties with the City. Inspectors will make sure all registered properties comply with minimum housing and safety standards at least once every 10 years.
Why Does Seattle Need It?
The 2009 American Housing Survey (part of the U.S. Census) showed that an estimated 10 percent of Seattle-area rental housing has “moderate to severe” physical problems. Seattle has approximately 148,000 rental housing units. Some of these rentals do not meet minimum housing standards. Historically, Seattle relied only on a complaint-based system to address rental problems. RRIO creates a system to address issues, even when renters do not complain. RRIO will also increase awareness of housing standards among existing and future property owners, managers, and renters. For more information on the program visit www.seattle.gov/RRIO.
Who will do RRIO Inspections?
Seattle will require rental housing inspections beginning in 2015. Property owners may choose to use a private qualified rental housing inspector to meet the RRIO inspection requirement. The inspector must have at least one of these certifications:
- American Association of Code Enforcement Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification
- International Code Council Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector certification
- International Code Council Residential Building (Code) Inspector certification
- Washington State home inspector certification under RCW 18.280
RRIO Pricing
The inspection fee will be $140 for the property and the first unit. $25 for each additional unit on the same property. Prices may lower for properties with a larger number of units to be inspected at the same time, or multiple properties with the same party in the same day.