Brick Plans to Require Annual Inspections of All Rental Units

A ‘for rent’ sign. (Credit: Walmart)

Brick officials this week introduced an ordinance that would require all landlords to have each of their rental units undergo an annual inspection.

The township council unanimously introduced the measure Tuesday night which, if passed on final reading, would represent a change from the current policy of requiring an inspection only when tenants change. The majority of neighboring communities already require annual rental inspections for safety issues, fire code compliance and similar matters.

The text of the ordinance states that the current policy leaves many tenants residing in properties for “multiple years without the properties receiving inspections for items that may impact public safety and the safety of those tenants.” Under the new ordinance requirements, landlords would be required to apply for and receive an annual Rental Certificate of Occupancy each year, pending an inspection. The inspections would ensure the units are “safe, habitable and code-compliant.”

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“Currently, inspections occur only when there is a change in tenants,” said Councilam Derrick Ambrosino. “The township’s code enforcement officers will conduct these annual inspections which provides us with the ability to provide code compliance with all rentals.”

The rental certificate must be issued for identified tenants and cannot be transferred to new tenants, the ordinance states. In addition to the annual inspection, an inspection would still have to be performed when tenants change. Landlords would be charged $100 per inspection, per unit. If a unit fails the inspection, the landlord would be required to pay a $50 fee for a re-inspection.

Homes or units that are rented seasonally, by the week or month, will require an annual inspection before the rental season begins, but will not have to be re-inspected between tenants.

A public hearing and second vote for adoption of the ordinance has been scheduled for the next township council meeting, which will be held on March 24, 2026 at the township municipal complex.