City’s New Landlord Licensing Program in Effect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.

Tenant Agreements

All landlords must use a Crime Free Lease Addendum/Agreement with tenants. This addendum must be incorporated into all new and renewal leases and made available for review during the compliance inspection by City inspectors. The addendum is available on the City’s Web site at www.Cedar-Rapids.org and at the Code Enforcement Division’s office in the Public Works building at 1201 6^th Street SW.

All aspects of the new program are expected to be implemented by October 2010. For more information about this program, please visit the Housing Inspections section of the City’s Web site at http://www.cedar-rapids.org/government/departments/code-enforcement/housing-inspections/Pages/default.aspx.