Occupancy Permit Program

The Village of Swansea is pleased to announce the adoption of the Property Maintenance Code on September 21, 2015, Ordinance 1728. The adoption of this code puts in place a Property Inspection Program and Occupancy Permit Program for all residential properties/dwellings in the Village of Swansea. The program will consist of a required premises inspection conducted by the Village of Swansea and the issuance of an Occupancy Permit from the Village of Swansea. The scope of this program is to promote and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the people in all existing residential structures by establishing minimum requirements related to the safety, maintenance, sanitation, and other elements necessary for occupancy of a residential structure.
Beginning December 1, 2015, all residential structures will be required to have an inspection performed and passed, before an occupancy permit can be issued. This includes all rental properties, as well as all owner-occupied properties. Currently-occupied dwellings are not required to schedule an inspection until time of tenant/occupant change, or sale of property. All inspections will be performed by the Village of Swansea Building & Zoning Department. All Occupancy Permits will be issued by the Village of Swansea upon passing the inspection. Please click for the Commonly failed inspection items as a reference of items that will be included in the inspection. For the Property Maintenance Code click here.
We welcome this program to ensure the safety and well- being of all Village residents. Please contact our office with any questions regarding this program.

Occupancy Permit Application - Fillable 

The list of things needed for a Occupancy permit, please attach documents. 

1. The Occupancy permit application

2. Lease or If you are purchasing then just a contract or closing paper (only 1 page with address and name on it)

3. A copy of a photo ID

4. Permit fee of $30.00, you may drop in our drop box (in front of our flag pole) at 1444 Boul Avenue

Property Inspection and Occupancy Permit Program Overview 
      Property Inspection
 To schedule an inspection of all residential and rental properties, contact the Village of Swansea                     
        at 618-234-0044. 
   • Inspection Fees to be paid to the Village of Swansea as follows: 
        Multi-Family structures: $50.00 each apartment
        Manufactured/Mobile Homes: $75.00 
        Single-Family Residence, Duplexes, Condominiums: $100.00
   • It is the responsibility of the property owner/agent to make advance payment of the fee, and to schedule 
      the required inspection with the Village of Swansea. 
   • An inspection shall be valid for a period of one (1) year. The dwelling unit does not have to be re-inspected  
      during that period, even if the occupancy changes. 
   • Re-inspection fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) is to be paid when initial inspection fails, or there is no access to the
       structure. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/agent to make advance payment before
       scheduling a re-inspection. 
    • Inspection results will be mailed to the owner/agent 

CLICK FOR COMMON FAILED ITEMS
     
Occupancy Permits
       Applications for Occupancy Permits can be made by visiting the Building & Zoning Department at the  
 Swansea Government Center located at 1444 Boul Avenue, Swansea, IL. For all questions related to the 
       Occupancy Permit, please call 618-234-0044.
    • An Occupancy Permit will be issued upon verification from Building & Zoning that the property has 
       passed inspection. 
    • Applicants will be required to provide a valid photo ID and one of the following documents: 
          Copy of Lease Agreement 
           Sales Contract or Closing Papers 
    • Applicants will be required to list the names and ages of all tenants/occupants. 
    • Occupancy Permit Fee of $30.00 is to be paid at the time of application. 
    • Fee for revision of an existing Certificate of Occupancy will be $20.00 and must be accompanied by the
       following: 
          Valid photo ID 
          Letter from landlord/agent listing names and ages of tenant/occupants.
    • Temporary Occupancy Permits 
          Temporary permit shall require the owner/agent to place all utilities in the owner/agents 
             name and assume financial responsibility for all such utilities. 
          The temporary permit shall not authorize any person to occupy the premises. 
          A temporary permit shall expire upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the premises.

 

 Swansea's Voluntary Crime Free Housing Program

 

**NEW VOLUNTARY CRIME FREE HOUSING PROGRAM**

 

All landlords now have the option of participating in the Swansea Voluntary Crime Free Housing Program. To participate in the program landlords must do the following:

 

  • Complete a crime free housing training course offered by the Village of Swansea, or provide the Village proof that you have previously completed a crime free housing training course in one of the following municipalities:

     

    Belleville, Fairview Heights, Granite City, O Fallon (Others upon review by Swansea Staff) 

  •  


    THE VILLAGE OF SWANSEA WILL HOLD CRIME FREE HOUSING TRAINING ON DECEMBER 9TH, 2021 AT THE SWANSEA POLICE DEPARTMENT – 1400 NORTH ILLINOIS ST SWANSEA.  CLASSES WILL BE HELD at 6:00 P.M.  YOU MUST CALL THE VILLAGE AT 618-234-0044 TO RESERVE A PLACE AT THE CLASS IF YOU HAVE NOT PROVIDED THE VILLAGE PROOF THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED A CRIME FREE HOUSING TRAINING COURSE.

     

    • Conduct (or cause to be conducted) US Comprehensive background checks of all tenants 18 years of age or older. Background Check Resources...Click Here

    • Provide the Village of Swansea a US Comprehensive Criminal Search Verification form for all tenants 18 years of age or older. This form will state that you as the landlord have reviewed all US Comprehensive Criminal Searches for all tenants 18 years of age or older prior to executing a lease or rental agreement. The Village of Swansea does not want copies of the actual background checks; however random audits will be conducted. Additionally in the event a tenant commits a crime, the Village of Swansea will require the landlord to provide copies of said background checks.

    • Provide the Village of Swansea a Crime Free Lease Addendum. This form outlines an agreement between the landlord and tenant(s), in which the tenant(s) understands that if the tenant commits certain crimes the landlord will take lawful actions to impede further criminal activity.

    • Respond to all correspondence from the Swansea Police Department and Swansea Building and Zoning Department within 10 business days.

    • Abate any Swansea municipal code violations within the specified timeframe without exception. (Extensions of deadlines shall be on a case by case basis and must be formally requested in writing to the Building and Zoning Director).

    • Landlords living more than 50 miles from the rental property must have a local manager assigned to respond in the event of an incident. 

    • Property Management Companies must notify the Village, in writing, when they no longer manage a property.

    •  

    As an incentive to landlords participating in this voluntary program the Village of Swansea will do the following:

     

    • Give a discounted rate for annual landlord registration of $25 (instead of the $100 fee).

    • Provide the landlord with timely reports of all code enforcement and Police Department cases related to the rental property.

    • Recognize participants on the Village of Swansea website.

    • Provide participants with the Village of Swansea crime free housing seal for their use.

    • Availability of Building and Zoning staff and Police Department staff for presentations (for example a K9 demonstration).

    • Availability of Building and Zoning staff and Police Department staff for environmental safety inspections of rental property.

    • Direct contact with the Swansea Police Chief and the Swansea Building and Zoning Director.

    •