This bill establishes new limits on local government property tax collections and reserve funds. It requires cities, counties, and other local entities (excluding school districts) to cap unassigned general fund reserves at 10% of budgeted spending and sets a maximum property tax levy at 102% of the prior year's total plus new property valuation growth. These rules apply to budgets certified for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, and will be verified through annual audits. The bill also modifies related tax assessment, budgeting, and reporting requirements for local governments.
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.
This bill creates a new tax deduction for Iowa renters, allowing individuals to subtract gross rent paid for their primary home (including manufactured/mobile homes) from their individual income tax. It directly affects renters who use a dwelling as their main residence, covering rent for the home itself and up to one acre of land for manufactured homes. The deduction applies to rent paid at arm's length for occupancy, with "homestead" defined as a rented primary residence. The provision takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.
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.
HF 377 requires landlords in Iowa to address elevated radon levels in rental properties. Tenants can test for radon (using a certified professional) and must notify landlords if levels reach 4 parts per billion (the EPA action level). If confirmed high, landlords must install a radon mitigation system within 90 days and retest, providing results to tenants. If landlords fail to install the system or radon remains high after installation, tenants can terminate their lease with full refunds of prepaid rent and security deposits, without penalties. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in Iowa rental housing.
HF 689 prohibits landlords in Iowa from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income. It defines "source of income" to include housing vouchers, public benefits, social security, veterans' benefits, and other approved assistance programs. Landlords cannot deny tenancy, charge different fees, or restrict access to housing because a tenant uses these income sources, including housing choice vouchers or rental assistance. The law applies to both standard rental units and mobile home spaces, ensuring equal access for tenants relying on federally or state-supported income programs.
SF 421 amends Iowa's landlord-tenant laws to clarify notice requirements, strengthen tenant protections, and update eviction procedures. It specifies that mail notices are deemed delivered four days after mailing (Sections 2, 5), defines "rent" to include utilities and late fees (Section 1), and makes prohibited rental terms unenforceable with tenant remedies for damages (Sections 3, 6). The bill also requires notices to be posted at the property entrance and mailed, with records sealed for residential eviction cases under specific conditions (Sections 4, 7, 11). These changes directly affect tenants and landlords by standardizing communication, limiting unfair terms, and creating record-sealing options for tenants after eviction judgments.
This bill limits rent increases in mobile home parks and manufactured home communities to once per calendar year, requiring landlords to provide tenants with 90 days' written notice before any increase. Landlords may only raise rent more frequently if justified by higher insurance premiums or infrastructure costs paid by tenants. It directly affects tenants in these communities by reducing the frequency of unexpected rent hikes. The law amends existing notice and timing rules to provide greater housing cost predictability.
