Richmond expands rental inspections, adds tenant habitability plan and decarbonization outreach

The City of Richmond told the Transformative Climate Communities Steering Committee on Oct. 1 that updates to the Richmond Residential Rental Inspection Program will expand inspections so every covered rental unit is inspected at least once in a three‑year cycle, add a tenant habitability plan process and use inspections to share energy‑efficiency and decarbonization resources with tenants and landlords.

Kamene Ogede, a Partnership for the Bay’s Future fellow working with the city, said the program—commonly called RRIP—was created in 2005 and began inspections in February 2007. Under the prior approach, the city inspected a sample (about 20%) of units owned by a landlord; many unit types were exempt or self‑certified by owners. “Now 100% of the units that are covered by the program will be inspected over the next three years,” Ogede said.

Ogede said the RRIP updates, adopted in January, will also change who receives inspection notices: both tenants and landlords will get mailed notices rather…