August 23, 2010, 11:00 a.m.

City’s New Landlord Licensing Program in Effect

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – August 23, 2010 – The City of Cedar Rapids Code Enforcement Division has begun implementing the new landlord licensing and rental housing registration program as part of the new Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code. This program includes new requirements for landlord licenses, rental housing registration and tenant agreements.

Landlord Licenses

Landlords, property owners and rental property operators are now required to be licensed in order to rent residential properties in Cedar Rapids. This license is only required one time per landlord/owner/operator. The license fee is $50.00. License applications are available at the Code Enforcement Division’s office in the Public Works building at 1201 6^th Street SW. In addition, applicants must submit a list of all rental unit housing to be associated with the license. There is a $1,000 penalty for each month of a delinquent license or rental unit registrations after October 31, 2010.

Rental Housing Registration

All rental housing must be registered annually. The registration fees range from $30.00 for single family dwellings or duplexes to $25.00 for multi-family dwellings plus $8.00 for individual apartments or units. All rental units transferred or purchased after July 19, 2010 must be registered within 30 days of the transaction. There is a $1,000 penalty for each month of a delinquent license or rental unit registrations after October 31, 2010.

Summary of Iowa Landlord and Tenant Law
by: Iowa Legal Aid

http://www.iowalegalaid.org

Iowa Landlord and Tenant Act applies to rental agreements for most houses or apartments. It does not cover all situations. A rental agreement is the understanding between the landlord and tenant. It may be in writing or oral. See other articles posted on this website and the Iowa Legal Aid publication A Guide to Landlord Tenant Law in Iowa for more details about landlord and tenant law.

Duties of Landlords (Iowa Code 562A.15)

In most cases, the duties of the landlord include:

• Follow building and housing codes that affect health and safety in an important way;
• Make repairs to keep the house or apartment in a fit and livable condition;
• Provide for garbage receptacles and removal;
• Supply hot and cold running water and heat, unless the tenant pays the utility company directly, and the water heater and furnace are under the tenant’s control;
• Keep areas used by the tenants of more than one apartment clean and safe; and
• Keep facilities and appliances such as electric wiring, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning in good and safe working order.

Only in limited cases can the landlord and tenant agree that the tenant will be responsible for any of the landlord’s duties. In any case where the tenant agrees to be responsible for the landlord’s duties, the agreement should be in writing, and fair to both.

Duties of Tenants (Iowa Code 562A.17)

In addition to paying rent, the tenant must do all of the following:

From the Programs Committee

Garry Grimm and Laura O’Leary Don’t miss our August meeting!  There is a lot going on right now, as Stephanie has covered in this newsletter.

By SARA KUGLER FRAZIER, Associated Press Writer Sara Kugler Frazier, Associated Press Writer NEW YORK – One of every 15 New Yorkers battled bedbugs last year, officials said Wednesday as they announced a plan to fight the spreading infestation, including a public-awareness campaign and a top entomologist to head the effort. The bloodsucking pests, which are not known to spread disease