Municipalities grant authority to law enforcement officials to enter private property for the purpose of conducting inspections. A court order is not required when the landlord consents to the search. They can enter an apartment to inspect the work being done in the building. A city code inspector can only enter your property with your permission or a search warrant.
Without either, an inspector can only view your property from the street or sidewalk. If your backyard is fenced, the inspector cannot lift a camera over the fence or take a picture through a hole in the fence to view or document any violations. However, if a neighbor (such as the one who filed the complaint) owns a terrace or second floor, the inspector can view your property from those locations with the neighbor's permission. To apply for a home inspector's license, submit a completed application to the New York State Department's Division of State Licensing Services.
Such inspector shall be responsible for enforcing such city codes, ordinances, rules and regulations and the city's zoning ordinance, if any, and for such purposes, such inspector and his assistants, if any, shall have the right to enter and inspect any building, structure or premises at any time and to perform any other act necessary for the application of such codes, ordinances, rules or regulations, or any of them. Home inspectors will also declare violations for any condition they observe that does not comply with applicable housing laws. A neighbor's complaint is all it takes for a city code inspector to inspect your property.
Leave Message