To ensure safe and legal living conditions, Charleston urges students living off campus to know the code.

“In essence, all of our codes affect Eastern students,” Mayor Dan Cougill said.

The city follows the International Property Maintenance Code for indoor and outdoor requirements.

The code book stipulates interior and exterior structural guidelines, plumbing requirements, fire prevention requirements, garbage disposal, parking and other property maintenance.

City Planner Jeffrey A. Finley said inspectors can’t go into homes without tenant request.

“If students are concerned whether or not the house is safe, they should just give us a call,” Cougill said. “There is no fee for inspection.”

Inspectors will then check where tenants find possible problems and will do an overall code compliance if requested.

“If it is something life-threatening, we’ll come out that day,” Finley said. “We’ve been known to stay into the night to make sure things are taken care of.”

Residents unsure of gas, water heater and furnace maintenance should have those utilities inspected.

“They need to know where the electrical panel box is,” Finley said. “It should be labeled to show what shuts off electricity to which room in case an outlet is sparking.”

All residences must meet fire code requirements. Tenants who are unsure their homes meet fire code can call for inspections.

“Smoke detectors must be in working condition and installed with at least one on every level of the house,”Finley said.

Detectors must be in each “sleeping room” or within 15 feet of each sleeping room.

“The ceiling is the best place for mounting, at least one foot off the wall and not in the corners of the room,” Finley said. “If it is mounted on the wall, it should be eight to ten inches away from the ceiling.”

Because smoke forms in rounded billows, the corners and tops of walls are touched later than ceilings.

Homes are also required to have functional fire extinguishers.

“Make sure all doors and windows operate, especially windows in bedrooms,” Finley said.

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Basement bedrooms must have windows big enough for the tenant to escape in case of a fire.

“Keep the furnace clean and make sure you don’t turn the furnace and water heater closet as a storage area.”

Finley said to make sure all utilities are in decent shape.

“If anyone has any concern, just call” he said. “It’s a free trip out.”

Should inspectors find noncompliance, they work with landlords and if necessary, the legal system, to ensure safe households.

“If there is anything life threatening we call the landlord and say this has to be done,” Finley said.

Residents will not be permitted to live in hazardous conditions. If compliance cannot be met immediately, the city will assist in finding alternative housing.

“We will help them even if it means going to a different landlord,”Cougill said. “We will work to keep rent the same.”

Should landlords not conform, the city will follow legal action.

Tenants also hold code conformance responsibilities.

Charleston Police Chief Ted Ghibellini and assistant chief Roger Cunningham developed a list of city ordinance information directed toward students living off-campus.

The pamphlet lists ten acts prohibited in the city of Charleston which include public possession of alcohol, minor possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, selling alcohol without a license, providing alcohol to minors, having kegs without permits, parking in yards, leaving trash on yards or porches, having indoor furniture on porches or yards and improper garbage disposal.

All of these city ordinances are punishable by law.

“We ask that anyone with any questions not be afraid to call,”Finley said.

“Finley can be reached at 345-8460.

City Editor Carly Mullady can be reached at [email protected].