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How To Pass a Baltimore City Rental Inspection the First Time

If you want to pass a Baltimore City rental inspection on the first visit, you do not need luck. You need two things: the right timing and the right prep.

Baltimore City uses a specific Rental License Inspection Form, and the City also publishes guidance that helps explain how inspectors interpret certain items. When you prep off those documents, you stop guessing and start checking the exact items that matter.

If you want the full checklist broken down item by item, read this first: Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Checklist.

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Quick answer

To pass the first time, schedule your inspection close enough to your application date that the report is still valid, then walk the unit using the official checklist.

Focus on the most common pass or fail items: secure railings, active utilities, no exposed live wiring, cover plates installed, working lights, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when required, hot and cold running water with no leaks, operable windows and locks, weather tight surfaces, gutters and downspouts that direct water away, and working heat. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Also watch the pass or refer items. Sanitation, pest evidence, rodent burrows, basement bedroom egress, and any immediate health or safety threats can trigger a referral. Referrals can lead to a complete reinspection by a Housing Code Enforcement Inspector. Inspector Guidance Document PDF

 

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Step 1: Get the timing right before you do anything else

Most first time failures are not actually repairs. They are timing mistakes.

The inspection cannot be too old

Baltimore City law says inspections used for a new license or renewal cannot be performed more than 90 days before you submit your application. Baltimore City Code section 13 5 7

The form has acceptance windows you must plan around

The inspection form states the City will accept inspections within 30 days of completion for one and two unit dwellings, and within 90 days for multifamily dwellings. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Practical rule of thumb:

  1. Do your repairs first.
  2. Schedule the inspection second.
  3. Submit your application third, quickly, while your inspection is still inside the acceptance window.

You have a resident communication requirement

Baltimore City law requires the inspection report used for licensing to be distributed to each resident at the time you submit the application for a new or renewed license. Baltimore City Code section 13 5 7

If your property is tenant occupied, build this into your plan early. It is not something you want to remember on submission day.

Step 2: Do a landlord walkthrough using the same checklist the inspector uses

This is the simplest way to pass the first time. Print the form, then walk the unit and check off every item. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Use this approach:

  1. Start outside and work your way in.
  2. Check safety and utilities first.
  3. Save cosmetic fixes for last, because they rarely fix a fail.

Step 3: Knock out the most common pass or fail items

These are the items on the form that typically cause a fail when they are overlooked.

Railings, especially stoops and basement steps

If you have more than 3 risers, the checklist expects railings, and the guidance emphasizes secure attachment. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Grab the railing and shake it.
  2. If it moves, it needs repair before inspection.

Utilities active and accessible

The form checks that gas and electric service are active and metered. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Confirm utility accounts are active.
  2. Make sure the inspector can access the electric panel and the mechanical area.

Electrical basics, no exposed live wiring, plates installed, lights work

The form checks for visible live wiring, cover plates, and functional lighting. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Replace missing outlet and switch plates.
  2. Fix open junction boxes.
  3. Replace non working fixtures and bulbs.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms

Smoke alarms must be properly installed and operational. The guidance notes requirements vary depending on the year of construction or rehabilitation and it also notes smoke alarms older than 10 years should be replaced. Inspector Guidance Document PDF

Carbon monoxide alarms are required when there is fossil fuel burning equipment, appliances, fireplaces, wood stoves, or an attached garage. The guidance also describes placement near sleeping areas and on every occupiable level including basements. Inspector Guidance Document PDF

Do this now:

  1. Test every alarm.
  2. Replace any alarm that is old or questionable.
  3. Install carbon monoxide alarms when the property has any fuel burning source or attached garage.

Plumbing function, leaks, water temperature, toilets

The form checks for hot and cold running water, hot water at a minimum of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, no fixture leaks, and toilets that flush properly. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Run every faucet for 30 seconds.
  2. Check under each sink for drips.
  3. Flush every toilet.
  4. Fix obvious leaks, slow drains, and running toilets.

Windows and doors, operation and locks

The form checks that windows designed to open do open and close, and that they lock. It also checks that entry doors to units close and lock. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Open and close every window.
  2. Repair stuck sashes.
  3. Replace broken locks and latches.

Weather tightness, gutters, downspouts

The form checks that exterior walls and interior ceilings are weather tight, and that gutters and downspouts channel water away from the property. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Address active roof or ceiling leaks.
  2. Reattach missing downspouts.
  3. Add downspout extensions so water discharges away from the foundation.

Heat must be operable

The form checks for an operable heat supply system. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Do this now:

  1. Turn the heat on and confirm it runs.
  2. Make sure access is available to the furnace or boiler area.

Step 4: Avoid surprise referrals by handling the pass or refer items

A lot of landlords think a referral is a pass. It is not. The form explains that referral items can be subject to a complete reinspection by a Housing Code Enforcement Inspector. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Sanitation matters, especially in common areas

The form includes a clean and sanitary condition item. 

Do this now:

  1. Remove trash and bulk items.
  2. Clean kitchens and bathrooms.
  3. Keep hallways and basements clear if it is multifamily.

Rodent burrows and pest evidence

The guidance explains how inspectors should handle rodent burrows and pest evidence, including what treatment signs look like and that inspectors may recommend a licensed pest control professional when evidence of infestation is observed. 

Do this now:

  1. Walk the exterior perimeter.
  2. If you see burrows or activity, treat it professionally and keep documentation.

Basement bedroom egress

If a basement space is being used as a bedroom and egress appears noncompliant, the guidance explains it may be marked as refer for follow up. 

Do this now:

  1. Confirm any basement sleeping area has proper emergency escape.
  2. If it does not, do not present it as a bedroom.

Fix obvious immediate hazards

The form includes a catchall for other immediate health and safety threats. 

Do this now:

  1. Look for missing guards, severe trip hazards, and major electrical hazards.
  2. Address anything that could reasonably injure someone immediately.

Step 5: If the property is multifamily, plan access and sampling correctly

The Baltimore City guidance includes unit sampling expectations for larger properties and emphasizes distributing inspections across buildings and floors. 

Practical prep:

  1. Create an access plan for the units likely to be inspected.
  2. Notify residents early with clear time windows.
  3. Make sure common areas are inspection ready since they will be seen every time.

What to expect on inspection day

If you are prepared, inspection day should feel simple.

Here is what helps the most:

  1. Utilities on and accessible.
  2. Clear access to the electric panel, water heater, furnace or boiler, and under sinks.
  3. Keys that work for every unit entry door, mechanical room, basement, and common area.
  4. Someone available who can answer basic questions about systems and recent repairs.

And one detail many owners like: the form states photographs are not required. 

What if you fail one item, or disagree with a result

The form includes a property owner inspection review process. Only checklist items A through L are eligible for review, and the request must be received within 15 business days of the inspection being completed. 

If you need to request a review:

  1. Document the condition clearly.
  2. Keep invoices and photos from repairs.
  3. Submit within the deadline.

A simple first time pass checklist you can use

Use this as a final walkthrough before the inspector arrives.

  1. Railings secure on all applicable steps
  2. Gas and electric active and metered
  3. No exposed live wiring, no open junction boxes
  4. All outlets and switches have cover plates
  5. Lighting works, switches function
  6. Smoke alarms installed, tested, and not expired
  7. Carbon monoxide alarms installed when required, properly placed and tested
  8. Hot and cold water works, hot water at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit
  9. No active plumbing leaks, toilets flush properly
  10. Windows open, close, and lock, entry doors lock
  11. No active roof or ceiling leaks, interior is weather tight
  12. Gutters and downspouts direct water away
  13. Heat runs and is operable
  14. Interior clean, exterior free of rodent burrows, no obvious pest activity
  15. Basement sleeping areas have proper egress, or are not treated as bedrooms

If you want the detailed breakdown of each line item, read: Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Checklist.

FAQs

How far in advance should I schedule my Baltimore City rental inspection?

Schedule it after repairs are complete and close enough to your application date that the City will accept it. The inspection cannot be performed more than 90 days before you submit your license application, and the form lists acceptance windows that can be as short as 30 days for one and two unit dwellings.  Baltimore City Code section 13 5 7 Backlink: Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

Fail is a direct fail on a checklist item. Refer means the inspector flags an issue for DHCD review, and referrals can be subject to a complete reinspection by a Housing Code Enforcement Inspector. Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form PDF

If the property has fuel burning appliances or equipment, a fireplace, a wood stove, or an attached garage, the City guidance says carbon monoxide alarms are required and it provides placement guidance. Inspector Guidance Document PDF

Baltimore City law requires inspection reports used for licensing to be distributed to each resident when the application is submitted.

You should also plan for lead compliance as part of your turnover and licensing workflow. Start here: Lead paint inspections and review the state requirements. MDE Rental property owner requirements

Ready to schedule your Baltimore City rental inspection

If you want help passing the first time, the best move is a clean walkthrough, repairs that match the checklist, and a schedule that fits the City’s timing rules.

  1. Read the checklist breakdown:  Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Checklist
  2. Review licensing basics and timing:  Baltimore City rental licensing guide
  3. Book your inspection: Schedule an inspection

We serve Baltimore City and surrounding areas, and we keep the process straightforward.

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