5 Steps to Register Your Rental Property in Wilkes-Barre

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is a city located in the northeastern part of the state, and like many municipalities, it has regulations in place for the registration of rental properties.

In Wilkes-Barre, rental properties are required to be registered with the city and to pass an inspection before they can be rented to tenants. The inspections are carried out by the city’s Code Enforcement Department and cover areas such as electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, and the overall condition of the property. Once the property passes inspection, the landlord will be issued a rental registration certificate, which must be displayed in the rental property. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Complete the residential property rental license and inspection application: This application and inspection needs to be completed every two years and has a $50 fee per building for the rental license and a $100 fee for an inspection per unit. 
2. The Code Enforcement Department will contact you by phone or email to schedule an inspection. Before the inspection, the property owner must ensure that the property complies with all local codes and regulations. 
3. Pass the inspection: After the inspection, the inspector will provide a list of any violations or deficiencies that must be corrected before the property can pass. The landlord must then make the necessary repairs or upgrades for the property to be compliant with the local codes and regulations.
4. Obtain rental registration certificate: Once the property passes the inspection and all necessary repairs or upgrades have been made, the property owner will be issued a rental registration certificate.
5. Display the certificate: The rental registration certificate must be displayed in a prominent location in the rental property, usually somewhere in the front of the building, such as the front door or window.

In addition to the initial registration and inspection, rental properties are also subject to inspections every two years to ensure that they continue to meet the necessary standards. Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with certain information, such as contact information for the property owner or property manager and information about emergency procedures. It is important to note that the rules and regulations may change over time, so checking with the Wilkes-Barre Code Enforcement office to confirm the current rules and regulations and ensure you stay compliant is recommended.