Kansas legally requires landlords to meet certain “habitability” requirements for all rental properties. This means that they’re responsible for providing a property that meets specific health and safety standards and for fixing issues that violate them.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Kansas?
In Kansas, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Plumbing.
- Heating.
- Hot running water.
- Garbage removal (where not provided by the government).
- Supplied appliances.
- Common areas.
- Smoke alarms (at the beginning of the tenancy).
A landlord’s direct or indirect interruption of utility services may qualify as an unsafe condition, along with any other issue that substantially impacts health and safety on a property.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Kansas?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Kansas must notify the landlord in writing about the issue and ask him to fix it within 14 days.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Kansas?
Tenants in Kansas should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Wichita | Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department | Online Form |
| Overland Park | OPCares | Online Form |
| Kansas City | Neighborhood Resource Center | 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 Wichita?
A tenant in Wichita can report a health or safety violation by calling (316) 660-9220 or using the online form provided by the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department. Enter contact information, describe the issue including location, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Overland Park?
A tenant in Overland Park can report a health or safety violation by calling (913) 895-6270 or using the online form provided by the OPCares service. Describe the issue, attach photographs if available, enter a location, and provide contact information. Anonymous reporting is an option.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Kansas City?
A tenant in Kansas City can report a health or safety violation by calling (913) 573-8600 or using the online form provided by the Neighborhood Resource Center. The site requires account creation. Enter personal and contact information, select and describe the issue, provide supplemental documentation if available, and submit.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Kansas?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Kansas, 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 Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2553(a) (2021)
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“Except when prevented by an act of God, the failure of public utility services or other conditions beyond the landlord’s control, the landlord shall: (1) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety… (2) exercise reasonable care in the maintenance of the common areas; (3) maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning appliances including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by such landlord; (4) except where provided by a governmental entity, provide and maintain on the grounds, for the common use by all tenants, appropriate receptacles and conveniences for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their removal; and (5) supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable heat…”
Source Link - 2 Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2559(a)(1) (2021)
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“…if there is a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with K.S.A. 58-2553 materially affecting health and safety, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement will terminate upon a periodic rent-paying date not less than thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice. The rental agreement shall terminate as provided in the notice, [unless]… the landlord adequately initiates a good faith effort to remedy the breach within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the notice… However, in the event that the same or a similar breach occurs after the fourteen-day period provided herein, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord [following the same requirements, and]… the rental agreement then shall terminate as provided in such notice.”
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