Any room or group of rooms within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit. Rental unit also includes a lot in a manufactured home park which is rented to a person or entity to place a manufactured home on the lot, whether or not the home is owner-occupied or leased.
Rental Housing
Our Services
The City of Moorhead requires property owners to register their rental property. Rentals include single/multi-family dwellings, multiplexes, condos, mobile homes, and rooming arrangements. Owner-occupied dwellings also require registration when space is shared with unrelated persons. Failure to register may result in administrative citation and/or civil or criminal charges.
- Registration Application (new rentals and change of ownership)
- Registration Renewal (Renewals are due yearly by December 31, regardless of when the original registration was completed.)
- Property Owner/Property Manager Agreement Form (change in management only)
Inspections
Rental inspections are performed annually to ensure decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions for tenants. Properties that have a high qualifying inspection may be permitted to perform a self-inspection the following year.
Information for Tenants & Landlords
- Tenant Request for Repairs
- Landlords & Tenants: Rights & Responsibilities
- Find an Apartment
- (R-Home) Rental-Home Owners and Managers Education Program
- Greater Red River Apartment Association (GRRAA) – The GRRAA is designed for landlords and property managers to share knowledge, ideas, concerns, training, and business practices.
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- Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership provides free, voluntary, and confidential services to help improve tenant/landlord relationships.
- HOME LINE hotline (1.866.866.3546 toll free)Eviction Mediation –If you are at risk of eviction or planning an eviction of a tenant, you may consider the following mediation options.
- Minnesota Legal Advice Online
Frequently Asked Questions
The leasing of a rental unit to a nonowner for a fixed or nonfixed period of time, and shall include lease to buy, contract for deed that is not recorded at the Clay County Recorders Office, installment sales, purchases, and other similar arrangements whereby nonpayment of a periodic payment means the occupants may be evicted without the necessity of either a statutory mortgage foreclosure procedure, a statutory termination of contract for deed procedure or a statutory repossession procedure.
Any building, including a "manufactured home (mobile home)" which is intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
Are there any rental registration exemptions?
Yes, campus dormitory and campus residence units, hospital units, nursing home units, retirement home units, or other similar units which are otherwise licensed by the state or city.
What do I have to do if I just purchased a rental property and want it to remain a rental property?
- Every new owner of a rental unit (whether as fee owner or contract purchaser) must contact Neighborhood Services at 218.299.5434 and complete a Rental Registration application before taking possession of the rental property. If the renewal fee was not paid by the previous owner, the new owner is required to pay the renewal fee.
- Every owner of property currently being utilized as a single-family housing unit, who is considering converting the property to a rental property, may have the property inspected prior to completing the conversion. There is a Pre-Purchase Inspection of $100.00.
What do I do if my landlord isn’t maintaining the property?
First, inform your landlord in writing of the problem using the Request for Repairs Form. If the problem persists after 14 days, submit a copy of the form to the City. If you have a life-safety concern such as a broken furnace, sewer back up, or electrical problems, you may contact our office at any time if you haven’t heard back from your landlord. If it’s an emergency, call 911.
How do I pass my initial rental inspection to avoid reinspection costs?
Conduct your own pre-inspection before the city inspection appointment. Address any obvious issues that need repair or updating. For guidance, review the Common Code Issues Checklist.
Do I have to register my rental property every year?
Yes, you will have an annual registration fee and inspection. At least thirty (30) days prior to December 31 of the current calendar year, the City will mail you or the local manager the registration renewal forms for you to complete and return with payment. Renewal payment is also available online. The City will not register a rental unit unless the owner is current on property taxes, and any other obligations to the City.
How much is the fee to register a rental?
See the Fee Schedule.
What are the requirements to register rental property?
Current on property taxes, and any other obligations to the City.
Why do I have to register my rental property?
The city recognizes a need for an organized inspection program of residential rental units within the City in order to ensure that rental units meet City and state safety, health, fire, and zoning codes within the City. Rental registration also ensures decent, safe, and sanitary housing for Moorhead’s residents.
How do I register my rental property?
Complete the Rental Registration Application.
Review the Common Code Issues Checklist prior to your inspection, which will be scheduled by the City.
Pay your registration fee.
Upon inspection and approval, your property will be registered.
Renew rental registrations annually.
Yes, if the occupants are unrelated to the owner, Moorhead requires rental registration and inspection while you are away.
I own a house that my son and his college roommates live in, do I need to register it as a rental?
Yes, Moorhead does require rental registration and inspection if the owner of the house has unrelated roommates.
I own a house that my daughter and her family lives in, do I need to register it as a rental?
No, Moorhead does not require rental registration and inspection if the owner of the unit lives off-premise and occupants of unit are related to the owner.
Do I have to register my rental property?
Yes, if you are accepting anything in exchange for housing, you are required to register your property. This includes a monetary payment, paying for groceries, utilities, groceries, providing services, or property maintenance. Registration and inspection must be completed before a tenant moves into your property. If you are still not sure, please contact the Neighborhood Services Department at 218.299.5434.