Rental Property

Rental Property License Application

This application should be used for a rental license when:

• A property will be rented out for the first time
• A current license is expiring and needs to be renewed
• An existing license has expired, and a new license is needed
• A change of ownership has occurred

When a licensed rental property changes ownership, the new owner must contact the fire department within ten days of the closing date and provide the following information:

• Name
• Residence address
• Telephone number
• Closing date

Within 30 days of the closing date, the new owner must apply for a new rental license. If the property has been inspected within the preceding 12 months, an inspection will not be needed, and the new owner will only pay for the new license. 

An existing license cannot be transferred or assigned to the new owner.

Change of Ownership Notification Form

Rental Property License Application

The Rental Property Inspection Checklist (PDF) contains the items that the inspectors are looking at while conducting the inspection. 

Common Violations

Prior to your rental inspection, make sure these items are taken care of: 

• Smoke alarms

  • Installed in every sleeping room, outside sleeping areas, and on every level
  • Operational and less than 10 years old

• CO alarms

  • Installed within 10 feet of each sleeping room
  • Operational and less than 7 years old

• Extension cords

  • Must not be used in place of permanent wiring. 

• Fire extinguisher

  • Must be present and inspected annually

Minnesota Attorney General - Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities

The Minimum Housing Code addresses the heating requirements for rental property:

Heating facilities shall be turned on and maintained at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit between October 1 and May 1.

Tenants who are having problems with the heat in their rental unit should take these steps:

• Contact the property owner, landlord, or maintenance company.
  • They must be made aware of the problem and be allowed reasonable time to correct the problem.
• If the problem is NOT corrected within a reasonable time, contact the Owatonna Fire Department at 507-444-2454. 
  • A fire department inspector will inspect the property and, if necessary, write compliance orders to correct the problem.

Additional Information

• Minnesota State Statute 216B.096 
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

• Rental Property Ordinance 
  • Requires all apartments or rental properties to be registered, inspected, and licensed prior to anyone occupying the residence.
• Minimum Housing Code
  • Establishes minimum standards for maintaining dwellings, accessory structures and premises. This code is intended to provide standards for housing, owner occupied and rental. 
• Disorderly Use Ordinance 
  • Provides a formal procedure to notify a rental property owner or manager of disorderly conduct that occurs on the rental property.

There is a penalty for the failure to register and license rental properties. 

A violation of the Rental Property License Ordinance Chapter 115 shall be a misdemeanor.

Each day that a property is rented out without a valid rental license on file is a separate violation.

All licenses expire two years after the issue date and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. All information that was required for the initial license must be submitted at the time of the renewal. This ensures that the fire department has accurate contact information.

Complete the Rental Property License Application and select that it is a renewal application.