Media Advisory: Buffalo Building Inspectors to Check University District Student Housing on Oct. 8 for Safety Violations

As part of a joint effort between the University at Buffalo and the City of Buffalo to improve housing conditions in the neighborhood around Minnesota and Lisbon avenues, building inspectors will be visiting homes on those streets on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 8.

According to Daniel Ryan, UB director of off-campus student relations, they will inspect home interiors for safety violations and, if they are found, mandate that landlords address them. Since many UB students live in that area, Ryan is encouraging them to cooperate.

"Inspectors will have badges and photo IDs. This is our fourth weekend doing this, and students have been very cooperative, permitting the inspectors to perform an inspection of apartments to look for building code violations like electrical or plumbing problems, windows that do not operate properly or the absence of working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors."

He added, "They will not be looking to see if students have made their beds, washed the dishes or have pizza boxes, beverage containers or other paraphernalia laying around. This is a safety inspection being conducted to protect our students."

Ryan said he or another university off-campus representative will be in the Minnesota-Lisbon neighborhood on Saturday to assist students and encourage their participation in the inspection sweep. Chief Building Inspector Lou Petrucci also will be on hand to oversee the inspection effort. Students not available for the Saturday inspections can schedule one by calling UB's Office of Off-Campus Services at 829-3541.

Press arrangements: Daniel Ryan, director of off-campus student relations, at 830-5016.