Rental Conditions and Tenant Complaint Form

From Leigh Kottwitz with Neighborhood Services here in the City of Columbia…information for clients with poor living conditions:

• They do not recommend people get a mold test because they are expensive and almost never provide indications of mold.

• They have four inspectors that inspect rental places and there is generally a very quick turnaround when someone requests an inspection.

• Always ask a tenant first thing whether or not they have had a conversation with their landlord, and if not, recommend that they do so.

• Regarding pests: the city code says when a person moves into a unit, the unit must be free of pests. If a pest problem is reported right after move-in, that is going to be taken more seriously than a pest problem reported months after moving in. City code says, if it is a single family house, pest control falls on the tenant unless something with the structure of the home is causing the pest violation to occur. If there is more than one unit to the building, such as apartments or duplexes, they Neighborhood Services can pursue the landlord for responsibility.

Tenants can file a complaint online at Citizen Rental Complaint Form and Consent to Enter Property - City of Columbia Missouri (como.gov), or by calling (573) 817-5050.