Housing Inspections

Discover how THD enforces safety standards for existing structures, learn about landlord and tenant rights, navigate lead hazards, manage potential meth lab contamination and master effective cleaning techniques for sewage leaks.

Enforcing Safety Standards For Existing Structures

THD inspects existing structures to ensure and enforce certain minimum building standards that must be in place if the structure is occupied or used. These standards, set forth in Title 55 (Property Maintenance Code), include requirements pertaining to sanitation, maintenance, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems and more.

THD also responds to complaints pertaining to landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, as established in the Oklahoma Non-Residential/Residential Landlord and Tenant Acts. If you have a complaint, question or concern about a structure’s safety or compliance—or about your rights as a landlord or tenant, please click here to complete an online complaint form or call 918-595-4200. We’ll conduct an on-site inspection, if necessary, or refer you to the right course of action.

Housing 101

Whether you are an apartment manager, leasing agent, landlord or a renter, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities. Housing 101 is an annual event to teach residents about the minimum safety standards for housing, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, safe heating sources, occupancy limitations and more. Legal Aid of Oklahoma presents and answers questions about the Fair Housing Act and Landlord Tenant Act.

Lead In The Home

THD received a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reduce lead-based paint hazards in qualifying homes with children under the age of 6 that live in Tulsa County. The inspection identifies lead-based paint, dust and soil hazards in residential properties. The overall goal of the Lead Hazard Control Program is to reduce lead hazards inside the home for the residents of Tulsa County, especially those households with children under the age of 6. THD can potentially remove lead hazards from your home at no cost to you. Learn More

Meth Labs

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly toxic, powerful central nervous system stimulant with a potential to become an addictive drug. Some of its street names include crank, crystal, speed, chalk, glass and ice. It can be smoked, snorted, injected or ingested. Manufacturing, distributing or possessing meth is illegal.

Illegal Meth Labs
A meth lab can be set up using common household equipment and chemicals. The different ways of making meth can involve explosives, solvents, metals, salts and corrosives. Meth labs have been found in homes, sheds, barns, motel and hotel rooms, outside in the woods and in car trunks. Manufacturing or “cooking” meth can leave behind large amounts of toxic waste.

If a house or property is contaminated by a drug lab, contact THD for guidance and information regarding the contaminated property. Only your local health agency can determine if a property has been properly decontaminated. For general questions about drug labs and contaminated properties, please contact us at 918-595-4200 or consult 41 O.S. § 118 (OSCN 2015), Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. To report suspected illegal drug lab activity, contact your local law enforcement agency or the Anonymous Meth Hotline (1-888-609-6384).

Signs of an Illegal Drug Lab
Alone, these activities or signs may not mean that illegal drug activity is occurring. However, some or several of them happening together may indicate a problem.

Strong chemical odor coming from house, garbage, or detached building.
Visitors come and go throughout the day and night and stay for short periods of time.
Extra efforts to cover windows or have extensive security, such as reinforced doors.
Deterioration of property and excessive amounts of trash, such as large amounts of antifreeze, drain cleaner, and glass containers.
Appear to have plenty of money but don’t seem to go to work – drive expensive cars, pay rent or bills with cash.
Never take trash out to be collected or put garbage in another neighbor’s collection area.
Residents come outside to smoke cigarettes.
Children and pets of the home appear to be neglected.
Residents act unfriendly, paranoid, or appear secretive about their activities.

Dangers of Meth Labs
Toxic chemical fumes, spills, explosions and fires make meth labs dangerous places. Meth cooks, their family members, and first responders are often the ones who are injured (or worse) in illegal drug labs. Waste dumped from meth labs can expose people to toxic chemicals. People picking up litter on the side of a road have been injured from meth lab waste dumps.

Exposures to high levels of contaminants found in meth labs can cause shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, dizziness, lack of coordination, chemical irritation and burns to the skin, eyes, mouth and nose and in severe cases, death. Symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue have occurred in people who entered a meth lab after the bust was completed, but before the property was properly cleaned and ventilated. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Interior Clean Up Information For Sewage Leak

Raw/untreated sewage is a health hazard due to the presence of disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Untreated they may cause property damage and present unhealthy living conditions. Any surface contaminated by sewage requires attention to prevent illness.

When cleaning an area that has been contaminated by untreated sewage, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, masks and/or coveralls are necessary.
If the damaged area cannot be cleaned, dried and properly disinfected it should be discarded. Carpet padding is an example of an item that should be discarded and replaced.
Use common cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize the affected areas. Hot water and detergent should be used to clean, after removing sewage matter.
Disinfect with a chlorine solution (¼ cup chlorine bleach to one gallon of water). DO NOT USE UNDILUTED BLEACH. Chlorine bleach is a chemical that should be used with care. CAUTION: Do Not Mix Ammonia Cleaners with Chlorine Bleach!
Use fans and/or dehumidifiers to assure all areas are dry. Thorough drying is essential to prevent odors and bacterial/mold growth.

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