Rental Property Light and Ventilation Requirements

Minimum housing codes specify light and ventilation requirements that residential dwelling units must comply with. Proper ventilation is needed to ensure that an adequate supply of fresh, cool outdoor air is provided to the dwelling to protect the health and well being of occupants. Just imagine being in a room with no windows on the third floor of an apartment house on a hot summer day!

Lighting requirements for dwellings, both natural and electrical, is also addressed by minimum housing code standards to promote occupant safety.

Lets take a look at some general minimum housing code requirements that address the subjects of lighting and ventilation. These requirements are provided "for information only" because housing codes may differ according to locality. Therefore, it is recommended that you obtain a copy of the minimum housing code standards for your own particular area.

Dwelling Light and Ventilation General Requirements

• For ventilation, all habitable rooms should have at least one window or skylight facing to the outdoors. The size of the window opening (operable opening) and aggregate glass area should be no less than the minimum sizes specified by your minimum housing code. These window sizes are normally determined as a percentage of the room's square footage where they are located.
• Bathrooms should be equipped with adequate ventilation, provided by either a window or mechanical ventilation unit(exhaust fan).
• For cellar and basement areas, minimum housing codes normally specify the number of vents or windows needed that open directly to the outside air.
• All stairways used in the dwelling for ingress and egress should be equipped with an adequate amount of natural or electric light at all times. Electric lights in the stairway should be controlled with properly installed light switches, operable from both the top and bottom areas of the stairway.
• All rooms and interior common areas must be provided with properly installed lighting and light switches.

So that covers the general criteria found in most housing codes that address light and ventilation requirements for residential dwelling units. Compliance with your local housing code standards will keep your tenants happy and cash flow rolling in!

For more information on lighting and ventilation requirements, please visit The Landlord's Library book collection. It's a terrific, one-stop source for practical, comprehensive information on the entire subject of residential landlording.