SF 2438 amends Iowa utility laws to require city utilities to automatically notify landlords when a tenant is 60 days delinquent on payments (removing the prior requirement for landlords to request this notice), and to provide at least 10 days' notice before disconnecting service. It expands acceptable methods for landlords to provide written notice that a property is rental housing (including online, email, or fax), exempting the property from liens for unpaid tenant-paid utility bills like water, sewage, or solid waste. Utilities may now require deposits up to 90 days for water/sewage services or 60 days for gas/electric, with deposits refunded when tenants move out. The bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and city utilities in Iowa.
SF 2307 establishes "felony rental vandalism" for tenants or occupants who cause over $1,000 in damage to rental properties through criminal mischief or intentional pest infestations. It classifies this as a felony, requiring courts to notify health and human services departments of convictions. The bill blocks eligibility for state supplementary assistance (like housing aid) until the offender pays full restitution to the landlord or completes jail time, except for child assistance or emergency medical aid. It also extends this ineligibility to federal housing assistance under Section 8 of the Housing Act, where federal law permits, without risking state funding loss.
This bill (SSB 3128) creates a lien exemption for residential rental properties where tenants pay utility charges (sewer, storm water, waste, gas, electric) directly to the city. It requires landlords to provide written notice to the city utility confirming the property is rental and the tenant is liable for charges, or allows tenants to provide this notice if the landlord has an active rental license. The bill sets limits on required deposits (up to 90 days for some utilities, 60 days for gas/electric) and mandates the city return deposits if all charges are paid in full when tenants move out. It applies directly to tenants in rental housing and city utilities managing these services.
HF 2551 limits how much landlords can raise rent for current tenants in Iowa residential rentals and mobile home parks. It sets a cap: rent increases cannot exceed either the Midwest region's consumer price index (CPI) increase or the county-assessed property value increase over the past year, whichever is higher. Landlords must provide written notice of any increase at least 90 days before it takes effect, and the new rent cannot start before the current lease ends. This directly affects existing tenants in both standard housing and manufactured home communities.
This bill allows tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, elder abuse, or certain other qualifying crimes to terminate rental agreements early without penalty. To do so, tenants must provide written notice to their landlord with specific documentation, such as a protective order, police report, or certified medical documentation from a healthcare provider. Landlords cannot charge fees, report negative credit information, or refuse to rent based on this termination right. Tenants remain responsible for rent through the termination date but are not liable for future rent if the unit is re-rented, and cannot be charged for forfeiting deposits.
This bill (SF 412) updates Iowa's rental property laws to clarify notice requirements for landlords and tenants. It adds electronic mail as a valid method for serving rental notices, but only if both parties have separately agreed in writing (via an addendum to the rental agreement) and neither has revoked consent in writing. The bill also states that rental agreement terms violating these rules are unenforceable, and landlords who knowingly use prohibited terms may face penalties including up to three months' rent and attorney fees. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in Iowa rental agreements involving notice delivery and prohibited terms.
HF 158 removes a current legal restriction that prevents Iowa counties and cities from banning landlords from refusing to rent to tenants using federal housing choice vouchers (like Section 8). The bill strikes existing code sections that prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances that would stop such discrimination. This change would allow counties and cities to create their own rules about whether landlords can refuse voucher users. The bill directly affects local governments' regulatory authority, landlords, and tenants using federal housing vouchers. It focuses on altering local housing regulation powers, not on new benefits or funding.
HF 266 requires landlords in Iowa to refund 50% of an application fee to prospective tenants if they are not selected to rent a unit. This directly affects renters who pay application fees and landlords who collect them. The key provision mandates that landlords must issue this partial refund within a specified timeframe after rejecting an applicant. The bill amends Iowa Code Section 562A.9 to establish this requirement, aiming to reduce financial burden on renters who don't secure housing.
SF 341 prohibits counties and cities with populations over 75,000 from regulating short-term rental properties. Specifically, it bans these jurisdictions from imposing permit requirements, license fees, or other restrictions on short-term rentals, and classifies such properties as residential for zoning purposes. The bill applies only to larger jurisdictions (populations >75,000), leaving smaller counties and cities unaffected. This directly affects property owners and operators in qualifying cities and counties by limiting local government oversight of short-term rentals. The bill does not create new regulations but restricts existing local authority over this housing type.
This bill (SSB 1047) updates Iowa's property law for residential and mobile home rentals. It defines "rent" to explicitly include utilities and late fees (Section 1), changes mail notice timing to be "deemed completed" 4 days after mailing (Sections 2, 5), and makes prohibited rental terms unenforceable with penalties for landlords who knowingly use them (Sections 3, 6). The bill also standardizes notice requirements for property access and legal proceedings, requiring posted notices to include dates and specifying mailing methods (Sections 4, 7, 8, 9, 10). These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in rental properties, particularly mobile home parks, by clarifying rent terms, notice procedures, and tenant protections. The bill is pending in the legislature after subcommittee approval.
