Hot on the heels of a report that revealed the dire state of many rental properties in the area, there has been a wave of inspectors fanning throughout the local neighborhoods entering rental properties and inspecting for health code violations, among other problems. Random inspections are not going to be announced but will be during the normal operation hours of the city of Memphis. Code enforcement is something that has fallen lax in recent times as there haven’t been many complaints from tenants, who likely direct any complaints they do have to their landlords. However, in a recent report, Memphis ranked at the rock bottom of a study by the National Center for Healthy Housing, placing dead last among the 45 included metro areas.

Moving to a rental property in Memphis certainly has some cautionary tales, such as mice, mold, water leakage, roof issues, and other health and safety hazards that can deem a home as unlivable. Communities, local housing authorities, property managers and individuals need to be aware of these housing issues. They end up costing us in the form of an array of health problems, including asthma, lead poisoning and cancer. These environmental-related diseases are estimated to cost the U.S. $70 billion a year.  The good news is that relatively simple repairs can correct many problems. The inspections will be a beneficial process that will help enhance the quality of living for renters throughout Memphis and beyond.