[TGE-mail] Does anyone know City ordinance/laws regarding Building Inspectors?

[Jason Lukasek]

Hello neighbors, 

First off, happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

I'm trying to obtain information regarding St. Louis City law and/or
ordinances regarding how City Building Inspectors conduct their inspections.
Those of you who own rental and/or commercial property may likely know the
answer.

A City plumbing inspector recently made an unauthorized inspection of one of
my rental properties. He told the 1st floor tenant that he was responding to
an "emergency" call from the 2nd floor resident. He did not know the name of
the tenant who supposedly called, nor did he disclose what the "emergency"
was. Most importantly, I was never contacted, even though the same inspector
made several attempts to gain entry to the building over several weeks.
Moreover, my tenants never called the City; both the 2nd and 1st floor
tenants have signed statements for me indicating that they never made any
calls to the City, nor have they ever experienced any plumbing related
emergency.
 
What he then cited had nothing to do with his alleged reasons for entering
the building. He cited improper waste stack connections and venting in the
basement, which have nothing to do with "emergency" plumbing on the 2nd
floor. It seems to me that the Inspector used false information about an
alleged emergency call to gain access to a building and then cite several
random, outdated plumbing code issues. I maintain that this person had
absolutely no right to enter my building without just reason, and this is
paramount to trespassing.

I am desperately trying to find out my rights as a property owner. Surely,
there must be some due process on the City books that delineate how
Inspectors are required to respond to such things. Let's assume that there
IS an emergency - shouldn't the property owner be notified? Do I have
recourse as an owner to petition the City to drop these citations? 

So, if anyone has ANY feedback regarding this, I would very much appreciate
to hear it. Also, if any lawyers are reading this and wish to offer their
help, I will be happy to discuss compensation for their involvement.

Sincerely,
Jason Lukasek
35xx Crittenden
 
 
 

Jason Lukasek
314.657.8390
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