If a rental property in Idaho fails to meet legally required health and safety standards, tenants have the right to report their landlord to local public officials who may choose to follow up, inspect the property and cite the landlord for such violations.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Idaho?
In Idaho, unsafe living conditions exist when the premises don’t have safe and working:
- Plumbing.
- Electricity.
- Waterproofing and weather protection.
- Provided heating, ventilating, and sanitary facilities.
- Hot water.
- Means for garbage to be stored and removed from the premises.
- Common areas.
- Anything impacting health, safety, or habitability.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Idaho?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Idaho must notify the landlord in writing about the issue and ask him to fix it within three days.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Idaho?
Tenants in Idaho should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Boise | Office of Code Compliance | Online Form |
| Meridian | Code Enforcement | Online Form |
| Nampa | Code Compliance | Online Form |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and cite the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Boise?
A tenant in Boise can report a health or safety violation by calling (208) 972-8170 or using the online form provided by the Office of Code Compliance. The site requires comprehensive account registration. Once registered, click “File a Complaint” and follow the prompts to detail and submit an issue report.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Meridian?
A tenant in Meridian can report a health or safety violation by calling (208) 846-7326 or using the online form provided by Code Enforcement. Complaints are confidential by default. Enter contact information, detail the location and nature of the complaint, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Nampa?
A tenant in Nampa can report health or safety violations by calling (208) 468-5473 or using the online form provided by Code Compliance. Complaints are confidential by default. Most issues fall under “Dangerous Building” or “Trash/Debris/Junk.” Enter contact information, describe location and nature of the complaint, and submit.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Idaho?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Idaho, an officer may inspect the property. The landlord must fix noted code violations, within a maximum of 30 days. Otherwise, the landlord could be fined and the local government might file to condemn the property.
Sources
- 1 Id. Code § 6-320(a) (2022)
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“A tenant may file an action against a landlord for damages and specific performance for: (1) Failure to provide reasonable waterproofing and weather protection of the premises; (2) Failure to maintain in good working order electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, cooling, or sanitary facilities supplied by the landlord; (3) Maintaining the premises in a manner hazardous to the health or safety of the tenant; (4) Failure to return a security deposit as and when required by law; (5) Breach of any term or provision of the lease or rental agreement materially affecting the health and safety of the tenant, whether explicitly or implicitly a part thereof; and (6) Failure to install approved smoke detectors in each dwelling unit, to include mobile homes, under the landlord’s control.”
Source Link - 2 State of Idaho Office of the Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual 11-12 (2018 ed.)
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Non-binding guidance provided by the Attorney General typifies the applicable standards: “Landlords must maintain the rental to protect a tenant’s safety and health. This means landlords must comply with city and county ordinances and state laws regarding housing conditions. The following are examples of housing conditions that may violate local or state housing standards: -Structural deterioration, including cracked and crumbling walls and ceilings and broken or missing doors and windows; -Defective plumbing, including a broken toilet, lack of hot/cold water, absent sinks or bathing facilities and serious leaks; -Exposed wiring; -Nonfunctioning heating units; -No means to remove or store garbage; -Insect infestations; -Leaking roof or walls from insufficient waterproofing or weather protection; and -Dismantling or not installing smoke detectors.”
Source Link - 3 Id. Code § 6-320(d) (2022)
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“Before a tenant shall have standing to file an action under this section, he must give his landlord three (3) days written notice, listing each failure or breach upon which his action will be premised and written demand requiring performance or cure. If, within three (3) days after service of the notice, any listed failure or breach has not been performed or cured by the landlord, the tenant may proceed to commence an action for damages and specific performance.”
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