Baltimore County Rental Inspection Services

Maryland law requires all rental properties in Baltimore County to be inspected by a licensed home inspector before tenants move in. Precision Home Inspections provides fast, thorough, and affordable Baltimore County rental inspections to help landlords meet legal requirements and protect their investments.

What Is a Baltimore County Rental Inspection?

Baltimore County Code Section 35-5-201 requires that most rental properties with six or fewer dwelling units must be registered and licensed before tenants occupy the property. As part of the registration process, landlords must provide a completed inspection sheet from a Maryland licensed home inspector.

This inspection ensures that rental properties meet minimum safety and habitability standards, protecting both tenants and landlords from potential liabilities. Properties must be registered and licensed before tenant move-in to avoid substantial fines from Baltimore County.

Who Needs a Baltimore County Rental Inspection?

You need a Baltimore County rental inspection if you:

• Own a rental property with six or fewer units in Baltimore County
• Are preparing to rent out a basement apartment or accessory dwelling unit
• Operate short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
• Are renewing your rental license (every 3 years)
• Have recently made changes to the property that require re-inspection
• Failed an initial inspection and need re-inspection after repairs

What Do We Inspect?

Our comprehensive Baltimore County rental inspection covers all required safety and habitability elements mandated by the County. Here's what we examine:

Smoke Detectors

All smoke detectors must be:

• Located in the hallway outside sleeping areas
• Present on every level of the dwelling, including basement
• Hardwired with battery backup
• Interconnected (all alarms sound together)
• Made by the same manufacturer
• Less than 10 years old

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors are required on every level of the home and must be audible in sleeping areas. Combination smoke/CO detectors are acceptable if they meet all other requirements.

Electrical Safety

• No exposed electrical wires in living areas
• All outlets and switches have proper covers
• GFCI protection in bathrooms and kitchens
• Electrical panel is accessible and properly labeled

Plumbing

• Hot and cold running water in kitchen and all bathrooms
• No leaks under sinks
• All toilets flush properly
• Adequate water pressure throughout

Heating System

The furnace or heating system must be operational. If outside temperatures prevent testing, we'll note this in the report, and you may need seasonal verification.

Egress Requirements

If there are sleeping areas in the basement, there must be a secondary means of escape, either:

• Basement window with minimum 5.7 square feet of opening and sill height 44 inches or less from floor, OR
• Basement door with thumb-turn deadbolt

Handrails

Railings must be present for interior and exterior steps with more than 3 risers.

General Safety

We also document any other readily observable problems that represent an immediate threat to the health or safety of occupants.

Lead Paint Requirements for Pre-1978 Homes

If your rental property was built before 1978, Baltimore County requires a Lead Inspection Certificate as part of the registration process.

For multi-family buildings (4-6 units), we can inspect 10% of the units and complete the required Multifamily Inspection Form. Contact us for details on multi-unit inspections and volume discounts.

Rental Inspection Pricing

$130 covers:

• Trip charge
• Complete Baltimore County rental inspection
• Completed inspection paperwork (delivered electronically same day)
• Carbon monoxide alarm verification
• Required photos of property front/rear

Multiple Units? We offer discounts when inspecting multiple units or properties together on the same trip. Contact us for a custom quote.

Re-Inspection Fee: If your property fails the initial inspection and requires re-inspection after repairs, a re-inspection fee applies. It's much more cost-effective to ensure everything is compliant before the first inspection!

The Inspection Process

Step 1: Schedule Your Inspection
Call us at (443) 761-9209 to schedule your Baltimore County rental inspection. We typically have availability within 3-5 business days.

Step 2: Prepare Your Property
Before our arrival, ensure all utilities are on, all areas are accessible, and any previous violations have been corrected. Review our preparation checklist when you schedule.

Step 3: Inspection Day
Our licensed inspector will arrive at the scheduled time and spend 20-30 minutes inspecting a typical single-unit property. Larger properties or multi-unit buildings may take longer.

Step 4: Same-Day Report
We'll email you the completed inspection paperwork electronically on the day of the inspection. This includes:

• Completed Baltimore County Inspection Sheet
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm Verification
• Required property photos
• Any notes about items needing attention

Step 5: Submit to Baltimore County
You have 90 days from the inspection date to submit all paperwork to Baltimore County. If any items failed, they must be repaired and re-inspected within that 90-day window.

Common Inspection Failures (And How to Avoid Them)

Most Baltimore County rental inspection failures are easily preventable. Here are the most common issues we encounter:

1. Incorrect Smoke Detectors

The #1 failure point! Many landlords don't realize that smoke detectors must be hardwired, interconnected, the same brand, AND less than 10 years old. Battery-only detectors will fail. Mixed brands will fail. Detectors older than 10 years will fail (even if they still work).

2. Missing Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CO detectors are required on every level. Many landlords forget the basement or don't have them in locations where they're audible from bedrooms.

3. Basement Egress Issues

If you're renting a basement bedroom, you MUST have proper egress. A small window or a window that's too high off the floor won't meet code. This is a major safety issue and will fail inspection.

4. Missing Handrails

Any interior or exterior stairs with more than 3 steps must have a handrail. This is frequently overlooked on back steps or basement stairs.

5. Plumbing Leaks

Even a small drip under a sink will fail inspection. Check all fixtures before our arrival.

6. Electrical Issues

Exposed wiring, missing outlet covers, or non-functional GFCI outlets in bathrooms/kitchens are common failures.

Why Choose Precision Home Inspections?

State-Licensed Maryland Home Inspector: Only a Maryland licensed home inspector can conduct Baltimore County rental inspections. We're fully licensed and insured.

Same-Day Reports: We deliver your completed paperwork electronically on the day of inspection, so you can move forward with your rental registration immediately.

Competitive Pricing: At $130 for the first unit with volume discounts available, we offer some of the most competitive pricing in Baltimore County.

Volume Discounts: If you have multiple units or properties, we offer discounted pricing when we can inspect them together. This saves you money and time.

Fast Scheduling: We understand landlords need quick turnaround. We typically have availability within 3-5 business days.

Thorough & Fair: We conduct thorough inspections to protect you and your tenants, but we're also reasonable and experienced with Baltimore County's requirements. We'll clearly explain any issues found.

Local Expertise: We've conducted hundreds of Baltimore County rental inspections and know the requirements inside and out. We can answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the inspection myself?

No. Baltimore County requires the inspection to be conducted by a Maryland state-licensed home inspector. You cannot self-inspect.

How long does the inspection take?

A typical single-unit property takes 20-30 minutes. Larger properties or multi-unit buildings may take longer.

When do I need to renew?

Baltimore County rental licenses are renewed every 3 years, and a new inspection is required with each renewal.

What happens if I fail?

If any items fail, you have 90 days from the initial inspection to make repairs and schedule a re-inspection. A re-inspection fee applies.

Do I need a lead inspection?

If your property was built before 1978, you'll need a Lead Inspection Certificate.

Can tenants be present during inspection?

For occupied properties, tenants can be present, but it's not required. We recommend landlords or property managers attend if possible.

How quickly can I get an inspection?

We typically have availability within 3-5 business days. Call us for current availability: (443) 761-9209

Additional Services for Landlords

In addition to Baltimore County rental inspections, we also provide:

• Baltimore City Rental Inspections: Different requirements than County
• Section 8 / HQS Inspections: For properties accepting housing vouchers
• Pre-Purchase Inspections: Considering buying an investment property?
• Annual Maintenance Inspections: Protect your investment with regular checkups

Precision Home Inspections serves landlords and property managers throughout Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Montgomery County. We understand rental property requirements and help you navigate the compliance process efficiently.

Contact us today to schedule your Baltimore County rental inspection: (443) 761-9209