The city of Syracuse’s current administration has focused on a number of areas to improve living conditions for residents and their newest effort to protect and educate residents is going virtual.

Brandy Fry is a residential plans reviewer for the city. Her office handles permits.

"Any venting or air conditioning must be permitted," Fry said.

Syracuse officials have been making instructional movies for homeowners and renters. The films focus on building maintenance, permits and building codes.

Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens filmed some of the introductions for the series.

"This three-part mini-series is to educate what is a safe and healthy home,” Owens says in one introduction.

In a Land Bank house on Tully Street, experts in codes and permits take the viewer along for exterior and interior inspections. They point out code violations and repairs that need permits.

"As far as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, those are all things that must be permitted," Fry said.

A major part of the mini-series is the expertise from the Codes Department. We followed inspector J. Omar Sharif around the house to give us some pointers for owners and renters.

He found issues as soon as he walked on to the front porch with a soft floor.

"This has to be repaired properly," Sharif said.

Sharif left no stone unturned when pointing out things that could make this home unsafe and unhealthy. Sharif and city officials have a special interest in abating lead.

"We can take care of the common enemy, which is lead in our area," Sharif said. "And we want to take care and make sure there is no lead dust when we take care of these paint chip areas."

Infestation is also a concern.

"The only thing that the owner can treat for by himself or by herself is rodents. Anything such as bedbugs, fleas, or roaches must be treated by a New York State-licensed exterminator," Sharif said.

"You are looking at a dead mouse right here. So you see, a sign of infestation. So that’s right here clear for you," Sharif said.

Sharif offered his assessment of the bathroom.

"This tub is totally chipped and totally rusted. It also has mold. Code Enforcement does not cite for mold, but we cite for excessive damage. In my professional opinion, and other inspectors', we would ask the owner to replace this entire tub and the tub surround," Sharif said. "The sub floor is damaged. You see that. What the owner would have to do, he or she would have to install a new sub floor underneath and then install a new finished floor."

Never overlook the most important room in your home: the basement.

"The basement is the most important area of a structure, because it contains the majority of the mechanical appliances," Sharif said.

These videos aim to be another tool to keep Syracuse families safe.

"We need to show people what needs to be taken care of in a house or structure. No matter how small or how large, it doesn’t matter," Sharif said.

Healthy Housing 101 will launch on the city of Syracuse’s YouTube channel on September 28.