HOUSTON -- The city of Houston will soon begin randomly inspecting apartment complexes in an effort to keep residents safe, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Thursday was the deadline for all 5,300 apartment complexes in the city to register for the new inspection program.

In the past, the city only followed up on complaints. That changed after two boys died when a stairwell collapsed two years ago.

It will now randomly inspect complexes for things such as stairs, plumbing and electrical issues.

"The city wants to make sure that the apartment managers are abiding by the codes and the standards set by the city and the city council to make sure that the residents have a decent place to live when they go to live in an apartment complex," said Alvin Wright with the city of Houston.

In June 2008, a three-story stairwell collapsed at the Westwood Fountain apartments in southwest Houston. It killed two young boys and seriously injured another.

The city found no previous complaint calls about the stairwell. It also found the complex had not been checked for structural problems in 14 years. The city said that is now changing.

"It's important because more than half of our residents in the city live in apartment complexes. So, what we want to do is make sure that the managers are aware of various violations with the ordinances that they must be in compliance with," Wright said.

The city said it will issue violations and fines to violators.

Anyone can report safety concerns at apartment complexes to the city by dialing 311.