A Baltimore property manager has accused a city housing inspector of accepting $100 to approve a rental property that allegedly still had an unresolved safety concern.
Khristopher Hamlin, owner of Next Key Property Management, said the incident involved a Federal Hill rowhome undergoing inspection through the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC).
According to Hamlin, the property initially failed inspection after numerous issues were identified.
“We had over 26 issues that were identified by the Housing Authority that we had to correct or modify to be able to get a passing inspection with them,” Hamlin said.
Properties rented through HABC are required to meet federal Housing Quality Standards meant to guarantee safe living conditions for tenants receiving housing assistance.
Hamlin explained that his company addressed the listed concerns, including removing metal bars from the property’s windows. However, he said one basement window grate was accidentally left in place.
During a follow-up inspection, another inspector reportedly pointed out the remaining grate and informed him that it needed to be removed before the property could pass.
The basement, according to Hamlin, was unfinished and not used as a living area. HABC later clarified that federal standards prohibit window bars in basement areas “where occupants reside.”
Despite the unresolved issue, Hamlin said the inspector later approved the property after allegedly requesting money.
“[The inspector] asked us how important was a pass for us and then asked us to give him some money to be able to get a passing inspection certificate for the property,” Hamlin alleged.
He confirmed that he eventually handed the inspector $100.
“He asked me personally, he said, ‘What is it to pass this inspection? What is it to you to pass this inspection?’ And I said, we want to get this done. And so he started to name out numbers to be able to get that done,” Hamlin said.
Inspection documents and a passing letter were reportedly reviewed by local outlet WMAR-2 News.
Home improvement contractor Steve Klitsch, who has also testified in fraud-related housing cases, said the issue should have been fixed before approval was granted.
“In cases like this where we have close housing, we need proper egress,” Klitsch said. “I would consider that a major [issue] because it is a safety issue.”
When asked about the importance of honesty in inspections, he added: “In this case, with this grated window, it could be a matter of life and death.”
Hamlin said he filed a formal complaint with HABC and also contacted the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General.
In response to the allegations, HABC said it takes claims of misconduct seriously.
“All inspectors are required to follow the Housing Quality Standards outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Employees are strictly prohibited from misrepresenting or misusing their authority or position for any unauthorized purpose,” the agency said in a statement.
“HABC takes allegations of misconduct or unethical behavior seriously and immediately investigates all matters and concerns. The authority is reviewing the matter recently brought to its attention through the appropriate channels and will provide updates as appropriate.”
The housing authority also encouraged anyone with concerns about unethical conduct to report them officially.
The inspector involved has not been publicly identified as investigations remain ongoing.
Hamlin said he eventually decided not to rent the property through the housing assistance programme and instead leased it to a market-rate tenant, adding that the incident damaged his confidence in the inspection system.
