BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Stricter guidelines for rental properties and landlords have gone into effect in Bellingham.

The City Council voted on Monday to remove a provision in their rental ordinance that accepted a declaration of compliance in lieu of an inspection.

Declarations of compliance were signed checklists from property owners that confirmed, to the best of their knowledge, that all of their units were safe for people to live in.

Inspections are required at least once every three years.

If a single unit fails an inspection, new guidelines allow city officials to conduct additional inspections on the owner’s other rentals.

Property owners and landlords will also have to submit failed inspection results to the city if their evaluation is done by a private company.