Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Michele Hall
Administrative Coordinator, Boone County Commission
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Email: MHall@boonecountymo.org
Boone County Commission Approves Boone County Rental Housing Standards
February 8, 2024 – The Boone County Commission approved the Boone County Rental Housing Standards policy during its regular meeting today. The policy is intended to regulate and ensure the habitability of rented residences in unincorporated areas of Boone County. By establishing rental housing standards, Boone County protects the interests of both tenants and landlords by providing specific expectations regarding payment of rent and provision of suitable housing.
The Boone County Rental Housing Standards policy identifies requirements that the owners of record of all rental housing must provide to tenants of that housing. These include (a) structural protection from the elements; (b) access to water service, including hot water; (c) sewer service; (d) access to electrical service; (e) heat to the residence; and (f) basic security, which, at a minimum, shall include locking doors and windows. The policy also notes that tenants who wish to file a complaint must be current on all rent due and must be a signer on the lease, as required by law. In addition to establishing these expectations, the policy also provides instruction on filing a complaint, the process for reviewing complaints, and the possible legal ramifications of noncompliance.
Boone County has not, until recently, had the legal authority to establish rental housing standards. As a first-class county, Boone’s ability to create and enact legal policies is limited to that granted to it by Missouri Legislature. On June 15, 2021, Missouri House Bill 271 was signed into law, authorizing Boone County to adopt property maintenance regulations and ordinances as provided in the legislation. Since then, the County has been working to develop rental housing standards, establish a process to review complaints, map out steps to address complaints, and determine legal ramifications for noncompliance.
To view the Boone County Rental Housing Standards policy, please click here.
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