Fargo inspections director details rental-license enforcement, tenant protections

Sean Aranek, Fargo’s inspections director, told the Human Rights Commission on July 17 that the city’s rental inspection program inspects thousands of units each year and is focused on ensuring “minimum life safety standards and clean and sanitary standards” for tenants. “We have over 4,700 active rental licenses within our system to check,” Aranek said.

The program enforces the International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by the city commission and portions of the city’s Land Development Code, Aranek said, and inspects for life‑safety and maintenance items such as smoke detectors, egress, exterior weather barriers, heating systems, electrical outlets, plumbing, pest infestations and overcrowding. “Our ultimate goal is compliance as quickly as possible,” he said.

Aranek described how the inspections are scheduled and enforced. Properties are generally inspected about every three years unless complaints…