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For your consideration: Real Estate Profits And Losses. Scenario 7: City Inspectors and Code Enforcers.

It’s time for another installment of our real estate ownership scenarios. A lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of owners HATE dealing with city inspectors and code enforcers.

The Money Kings don’t share this sentiment, so it’s time to address this subject.

Our commercial and industrial properties wind up being examined by state, county and city officials. Our residential properties usually only field city inspector’s attention. In a lot of ways, the residential inspectors can be really tough on landlords. Regardless, we think the process isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. In fact, if done correctly, code can work to your benefit, because it will help keep true slumlords in check. You don’t want slum property dragging your business down!

Here are some facts about on how to deal with city inspectors and code enforcement agents that will ultimately save you a ton of time and money:

1. Don’t hate these people. Why hate what you can’t change? Why cause yourself more stress by being angered at a situation that you’re not going to change? Furthermore, unless you’re an international clandestine agent, you’ll eventually not be able to hide your scorn for inspectors. This has long term financial consequences.
2. Engage inspectors before they come after you. Getting to know these people before they find out you’re a landlord or start mailing you things is a great way to get on their good side. Plus, they all have literature designed to explain to you the rules of inspection. You can be better prepared by engaging these agents first.
3. Prepare for inspections. Some landlords would rather wait to have an inspection done first rather than spend the effort and time researching inspection guidelines, and executing improvements a priori. The Money Kings say this is a bad idea. If you know up front what needs to be fixed on/in/around your property, then you can get the jump whatever citations come your way. And trust us, citations will definitely come your way.
4. Don’t be afraid to kiss a little ass. We know, we know. “You’re a LANDLORD, damnit! You don’t kiss ass. You kick ass and take names!” Whatever. If this is your attitude, then don’t be surprised when the inspectors eat you alive with fines, court time, little stickers all over your property and lost tenant prospects that find out you’re in trouble with code. If you bullshit with these people a bit, address them by name, promise to fix problems quickly, make good on your promises, and talk to them about things you both have in common, they’ll start to see you as a human instead of a greasy landlord, greedy slumlord or slimy salesman. This WILL result in lower citations and less work/money for you!
5. Go to the code inspector’s office often. Make yourself known to the entire office. If you’re seen as one of those landlords “that cares” you’ll stand out from the rest. Trust us, many landlords are over extended in their property ownership, too greedy and don’t tend to their properties. Code enforcement people hate these types of landlords, because (guess what) they’re trained to understand these landlords as being DETRIMENTAL to their city. That’s a powerful motivational factor for them to do their jobs, get out there and make citations, and (in their minds) do their best to make their city cleaner, safer, more attractive–and if they live in town–retain higher property values for themselves! Yes, their property is tied to your’s, if you’re in their town.

The Money Kings truly hope you take these considerations to heart when dealing with any city inspectors and code enforcers. You read our site to learn great tips on money saving and making each day. This subject is one of those indirect profit-suckers that you really can easily avoid. Learn the tricks to pass inspections and SAVE, till the inspectors come around again.

Good luck out there.

The Money Kings

Keywords: real estate, repair, inspection, code, enforcement, kiss, ass, be, nice, property, city