House File 2562 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2562 BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS (SUCCESSOR TO HF 2441) (SUCCESSOR TO HF 833) (SUCCESSOR TO HF 442) A BILL FOR An Act relating to property law, including mobile homes and 1 manufactured housing, rental agreements, landlord and 2 tenant remedies for retaliation, wrongful failure to provide 3 essential services, rent increases, the sale of manufactured 4 home community or mobile home park, the repeal of the 5 manufactured home community and mobile home tax, forcible 6 entry and detainer actions, abandoned mobile homes, and 7 including effective date and applicability provisions. 8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 9 TLSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh
H.F. 2562 DIVISION I 1 RETALIATION 2 Section 1. Section 562B.32, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code 3 2022, is amended to read as follows: 4 d. For exercising any of the rights and remedies pursuant 5 to this chapter or chapter 216 . 6 Sec. 2. Section 562B.32, subsection 2, Code 2022, is amended 7 to read as follows: 8 2. If the landlord acts in violation of subsection 1 9 of this section , the tenant is entitled to the remedies 10 provided in section 562B.24 and has a defense in an action for 11 possession. In an action by or against the tenant, evidence 12 of a complaint within six months one year prior to the alleged 13 act of retaliation creates a presumption that the landlord’s 14 conduct was in retaliation. The presumption does not arise 15 if the tenant made the complaint after notice of termination 16 of the rental agreement. For the purpose of this subsection , 17 “presumption” means that the trier of fact must find the 18 existence of the fact presumed unless and until evidence is 19 introduced which would support a finding of its nonexistence. 20 DIVISION II 21 RENTAL AGREEMENTS 22 Sec. 3. Section 562B.7, subsection 10, Code 2022, is amended 23 to read as follows: 24 10. “Rent” means a payment to be made to the landlord under 25 the rental agreement , including base rent, utilities, late 26 fees, and other payments made by the tenant to the landlord 27 under the rental agreement . 28 Sec. 4. Section 562B.10, subsection 5, Code 2022, is amended 29 to read as follows: 30 5. Rental agreements shall be for a term of one year unless 31 otherwise specified in the rental agreement. Rental agreements 32 shall be canceled by at least sixty ninety days’ written notice 33 given by either party. A landlord shall not cancel a rental 34 agreement solely for the purpose of making the tenant’s mobile 35 -1- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 1/ 28
H.F. 2562 home space available for another mobile home. 1 Sec. 5. Section 562B.14, subsection 7, Code 2022, is amended 2 to read as follows: 3 7. Each tenant shall be notified, in writing, of any rent 4 increase at least sixty ninety days before the effective date. 5 Such effective date shall not be sooner than the expiration 6 date of the original rental agreement or any renewal or 7 extension thereof. 8 Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being 9 deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 10 Sec. 7. APPLICABILITY. This division of this Act applies to 11 rent increases first noticed under chapter 562B occurring on or 12 after the effective date of this division of this Act. 13 DIVISION III 14 DISCLOSURE OF UTILITY CHARGES 15 Sec. 8. Section 562B.14, subsection 6, Code 2022, is amended 16 to read as follows: 17 6. a. The landlord or any person authorized to enter into 18 a rental agreement on the landlord’s behalf shall provide a 19 written explanation of utility rates, charges and services to 20 the prospective tenant before the rental agreement is signed 21 unless the utility charges are paid by the tenant directly to 22 the utility company. 23 b. Tenants shall be notified of any increase in utility 24 rates or charges in the manner set forth in subsection 7 for 25 rent increases, unless the landlord does not receive at least 26 ninety days prior notice of such increase from the utility 27 provider, in which case no prior notice of the increase from 28 the landlord to the tenant is required for the increase to be 29 effective. 30 c. Nothing in this chapter shall authorize a landlord to 31 meter a premises contrary to applicable law, rule, or tariff, 32 or assess a utility charge to the tenant contrary to applicable 33 law, rule, or tariff. 34 DIVISION IV 35 -2- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 2/ 28
H.F. 2562 WRONGFUL FAILURE TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES 1 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION . 562B.23A Wrongful failure to supply 2 running water or essential services. 3 1. If contrary to the rental agreement or section 562B.16 4 the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply 5 running water or other essential services, the tenant may give 6 written notice to the landlord specifying the breach and may 7 do one of the following: 8 a. Procure reasonable amounts of water or other essential 9 services during the period of the landlord’s noncompliance and 10 deduct the actual and reasonable cost from the rent. 11 b. Recover damages based upon the diminution in the fair 12 market value of the mobile home space. 13 c. Recover any rent already paid for the period of the 14 landlord’s noncompliance which shall be reimbursed on a pro 15 rata basis. 16 2. If the tenant proceeds under this section, the tenant may 17 not proceed under section 562B.22 as to that breach. 18 3. The rights under this section do not arise until the 19 tenant has given notice to the landlord or if the condition was 20 caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the 21 tenant, a member of the tenant’s family, or other person on the 22 premises with the consent of the tenant. 23 Sec. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being 24 deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 25 DIVISION V 26 DENIAL OF RENTAL OR REFUSAL OF SALE 27 Sec. 11. Section 562B.19, subsection 3, paragraph c, Code 28 2022, is amended to read as follows: 29 c. Deny any resident of a manufactured home community 30 or mobile home park the right to sell that person’s mobile 31 home at a price of the person’s own choosing, but may reserve 32 the right to approve the purchaser of such mobile home as a 33 tenant but such permission may not be unreasonably withheld, 34 provided however, that the landlord may, in the event of a 35 -3- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 3/ 28
H.F. 2562 sale to a third party, in order to upgrade the quality of 1 the manufactured home community or mobile home park, require 2 that any mobile home in a rundown condition or in disrepair be 3 removed from the manufactured home community or park within 4 sixty days. If the landlord does not approve the purchaser as 5 a tenant, the landlord shall provide the purchaser with written 6 notice of such denial and the general reason for the denial, 7 but the landlord shall not be required to provide a specific 8 reason for the denial. 9 DIVISION VI 10 PROHIBITED RENTAL AGREEMENT PROVISION —— HOME EQUIPMENT 11 Sec. 12. Section 562B.11, subsection 1, Code 2022, is 12 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 13 NEW PARAGRAPH . e. Agrees to modify the mobile home, 14 manufactured home, or modular home in a way that would 15 substantially impair the ability of the tenant to move the 16 home from the mobile home space, unless such modification is 17 required by federal law, including but not limited to the 18 model manufactured home installation standards, 24 C.F.R. pt. 19 3285, the manufactured home construction and safety standards, 20 24 C.F.R. pt. 3280, or the manufactured home procedural and 21 enforcement regulations, 24 C.F.R. pt. 3282, or by state or 22 local law, the manufacturer’s installation instructions, any 23 requirement arising from the landlord’s financing of the home 24 or of the mobile home park or manufactured home community in 25 which the home is located, or unless such modification is 26 otherwise necessary for the safe and proper installation of the 27 home. 28 DIVISION VII 29 LANDLORD SALES 30 Sec. 13. NEW SECTION . 562B.17A Sale of mobile home by 31 landlord. 32 1. Any sale of a mobile home located in a manufactured home 33 community or mobile home park by a landlord or landlord’s agent 34 shall be by written agreement and the landlord shall, upon the 35 -4- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 4/ 28
H.F. 2562 buyer’s fulfillment of all payment and other terms under the 1 agreement, produce and assign the current certificate of title 2 obtained from the department of transportation. The agreement 3 shall state the basic terms of sale, including the total 4 cost of the mobile home, and, in the case of an installment 5 contract, finance charges, annual percentage rate, and the 6 frequency and amount of each installment payment. 7 2. If such sale does not comply with this section, the 8 court may award monetary or equitable relief, including voiding 9 the sale, and the buyer may recover damages incurred, amounts 10 paid as a rental deposit in excess of two months’ rent, and 11 reasonable attorney fees. 12 3. A claim under subsection 2 may be combined with an action 13 under chapter 648. 14 Sec. 14. Section 648.19, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 15 to read as follows: 16 1. An action under this chapter shall not be filed in 17 connection with any other action, with the exception of a claim 18 for rent or recovery as provided in section 555B.3 , 562A.24 , 19 562A.32 , 562B.17A, 562B.22 , 562B.25 , or 562B.27 , nor shall it 20 be made the subject of counterclaim. 21 DIVISION VIII 22 SALE OF MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITY OR MOBILE HOME PARK 23 Sec. 15. NEW SECTION . 562B.16A Sale of manufactured home 24 community or mobile home park —— notices. 25 Upon termination of the landlord’s interest in the 26 manufactured home community or mobile home park, the landlord’s 27 successor in interest shall have the same legal obligations, 28 rights, and remedies of the landlord, including with respect to 29 all rental agreements. 30 Sec. 16. APPLICABILITY. This division of this Act applies 31 to manufactured home community or mobile home park sale 32 transactions made on or after the effective date of this 33 division of this Act. 34 DIVISION IX 35 -5- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 5/ 28
H.F. 2562 MANUFACTURED HOME AND MOBILE HOME TAX 1 Sec. 17. Section 29C.24, subsection 3, paragraph a, 2 subparagraph (6), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 3 (6) The assessment of property taxes by the department 4 of revenue under sections 428.24 through 428.26 , 428.28 , and 5 428.29 , or chapters 433 , 434 , 435 , and 437 through 438 , or by 6 a local assessor under another provision of law, on property 7 brought into the state to aid in the performance of disaster 8 or emergency-related work during a disaster response period if 9 such property does not remain in the state after the conclusion 10 of the disaster response period. 11 Sec. 18. Section 321.24, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 12 to read as follows: 13 1. Upon receipt of the application for title and payment of 14 the required fees for a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, 15 the county treasurer or the department shall, when satisfied 16 as to the application’s genuineness and regularity, and, in 17 the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, that taxes 18 are not owing under chapter 423 or 435 , issue a certificate 19 of title and, except for a mobile home or manufactured home, 20 a registration receipt, and shall file the application, the 21 manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate, the certificate of 22 title, or other evidence of ownership, as prescribed by the 23 department. The registration receipt shall be delivered to the 24 owner and shall contain upon its face the date issued, the name 25 and address of the owner, the registration number assigned to 26 the vehicle, the amount of the fee paid, the type of fuel used, 27 a description of the vehicle as determined by the department, 28 and a form for notice of transfer of the vehicle. The name 29 and address of any lessee of the vehicle shall not be printed 30 on the registration receipt or certificate of title. Up to 31 three owners may be listed on the registration receipt and 32 certificate of title. 33 Sec. 19. Section 321.30, subsection 1, paragraph j, Code 34 2022, is amended by striking the paragraph. 35 -6- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 6/ 28
H.F. 2562 Sec. 20. Section 321.46, subsection 2, Code 2022, is amended 1 to read as follows: 2 2. Upon filing the application for a new registration and 3 a new title, the applicant shall pay a title fee of twenty 4 dollars, an annual registration fee prorated for the remaining 5 unexpired months of the registration year, and a fee for new 6 registration if applicable. A manufacturer applying for a 7 certificate of title pursuant to section 322G.12 shall pay a 8 title fee of ten dollars. However, a title fee shall not be 9 charged to a manufactured or mobile home retailer applying for 10 a certificate of title for a used mobile home or manufactured 11 home, titled in Iowa, as required under section 321.45, 12 subsection 4 . The county treasurer, if satisfied of the 13 genuineness and regularity of the application , and in the case 14 of a mobile home or manufactured home, that taxes are not owing 15 under chapter 435 , and that the applicant has complied with all 16 the requirements of this chapter , shall issue a new certificate 17 of title and, except for a mobile home, manufactured home, 18 or a vehicle returned to and accepted by a manufacturer as 19 described in section 322G.12 , a registration card to the 20 purchaser or transferee, shall cancel the prior registration 21 for the vehicle, and shall forward the necessary copies to the 22 department on the date of issuance, as prescribed in section 23 321.24 . Mobile homes or manufactured homes titled under 24 chapter 448 that have been subject under section 446.18 to a 25 public bidder sale in a county shall be titled in the county’s 26 name, with no fee, and the county treasurer shall issue the 27 title. 28 Sec. 21. Section 321.101, subsection 2, Code 2022, is 29 amended to read as follows: 30 2. The department shall cancel a certificate of title that 31 appears to have been improperly issued or fraudulently obtained 32 or, in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, if taxes 33 were owing under chapter 435 at the time the certificate was 34 issued and have not been paid. However, before the certificate 35 -7- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 7/ 28
H.F. 2562 to a mobile home or manufactured home for which taxes were 1 owing can be canceled, notice and opportunity to pay the taxes 2 must be given to the person to whom the certificate was issued. 3 Upon cancellation of a certificate of title, the department 4 shall notify the county treasurer who issued it, who shall 5 enter the cancellation upon the records . The department shall 6 also notify the person to whom the certificate of title was 7 issued, as well as each lienholder who has a perfected lien, 8 of the cancellation and shall demand the surrender of the 9 certificate of title, but the cancellation shall not affect the 10 validity of any perfected lien. 11 Sec. 22. Section 321.123, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 12 2022, is amended to read as follows: 13 b. A travel trailer may be stored under section 321.134 , 14 provided the travel trailer is not used for human habitation 15 for any period during storage and is not moved upon the 16 highways of the state. A travel trailer stored under section 17 321.134 is not subject to a manufactured or mobile home tax 18 assessed under chapter 435 . 19 Sec. 23. Section 331.429, subsection 1, paragraphs a and b, 20 Code 2022, are amended to read as follows: 21 a. Transfers from the general fund not to exceed in any year 22 the dollar equivalent of a tax of sixteen and seven-eighths 23 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value on all taxable 24 property in the county multiplied by the ratio of current 25 taxes actually collected and apportioned for the general basic 26 levy to the total general basic levy for the current year, 27 and an amount equivalent to the moneys derived by the general 28 fund from military service tax credits under chapter 426A , 29 manufactured or mobile home taxes under section 435.22 , and 30 delinquent taxes for prior years collected and apportioned to 31 the general basic fund in the current year, multiplied by the 32 ratio of sixteen and seven-eighths cents to three dollars and 33 fifty cents. The limit on transfers in this paragraph applies 34 only to property tax revenue and is not a limit on transfers of 35 -8- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 8/ 28
H.F. 2562 revenue generated from sources other than property taxes. 1 b. Transfers from the rural services fund not to exceed 2 in any year the dollar equivalent of a tax of three dollars 3 and three-eighths cents per thousand dollars of assessed value 4 on all taxable property not located within the corporate 5 limits of a city in the county multiplied by the ratio of 6 current taxes actually collected and apportioned for the rural 7 services basic levy to the total rural services basic levy 8 for the current year and an amount equivalent to the moneys 9 derived by the rural services fund from military service tax 10 credits under chapter 426A , manufactured or mobile home taxes 11 under section 435.22 , and delinquent taxes for prior years 12 collected and apportioned to the rural services basic fund in 13 the current year, multiplied by the ratio of three dollars and 14 three-eighths cents to three dollars and ninety-five cents. 15 The limit on transfers in this paragraph applies only to 16 property tax revenue and is not a limit on transfers of revenue 17 generated from sources other than property taxes. 18 Sec. 24. Section 331.559, subsection 1, Code 2022, is 19 amended by striking the subsection. 20 Sec. 25. Section 331.653, subsection 17, Code 2022, is 21 amended by striking the subsection. 22 Sec. 26. Section 335.30A, subsection 2, Code 2022, is 23 amended to read as follows: 24 2. “Land-leased community” means any site, lot, field, 25 or tract of land under common ownership upon which ten or 26 more occupied manufactured homes are harbored, either free of 27 charge or for revenue purposes, and shall include any building, 28 structure, or enclosure used or intended for use as part of the 29 equipment of the land-leased community. The term “land-leased 30 community” shall not be construed to include homes, buildings, 31 or other structures temporarily maintained by any individual, 32 educational institution, or company on their own premises and 33 used exclusively to house their own labor or students. A 34 manufactured home located in a land-leased community shall be 35 -9- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 9/ 28
H.F. 2562 taxed under section 435.22 as if the manufactured home were 1 located in a mobile home park. 2 Sec. 27. Section 414.28A, subsection 3, Code 2022, is 3 amended by striking the subsection. 4 Sec. 28. Section 427A.1, subsection 1, paragraph c, Code 5 2022, is amended to read as follows: 6 c. Buildings, structures, or improvements, any of which are 7 constructed on or in the land, attached to the land, or placed 8 upon a foundation whether or not attached to the foundation. 9 However, property taxed under chapter 435 , property that is a 10 concrete batch plant as that term is defined in subsection 4 , 11 and to the extent provided in subsection 7 , property that is 12 transmission property shall not be assessed and taxed as real 13 property. 14 Sec. 29. Section 435.2, Code 2022, is amended to read as 15 follows: 16 435.2 Placement and taxation. 17 1. If a mobile home is placed outside a mobile home park 18 or manufactured home community , the home is to be assessed and 19 taxed as real estate. If and while a mobile home is placed 20 inside a mobile home park or manufactured home community, the 21 home, as well as any and all garages, accessory buildings, and 22 appurtenances to the home, are exempt from property tax. 23 2. If a manufactured home is placed in a manufactured home 24 community or a mobile home park, the home must be titled , and 25 is subject to the manufactured or mobile home square foot tax 26 the home, as well as any and all garages, accessory buildings, 27 and appurtenances to the home, are exempt from property tax . 28 If a manufactured home is placed outside a manufactured home 29 community or a mobile home park, the home must be titled and is 30 to be assessed and taxed as real estate. 31 3. For the purposes of this chapter , a modular home shall 32 not be construed to be a mobile home or manufactured home. If 33 a modular home is placed inside or outside a manufactured home 34 community or a mobile home park, the home shall be considered 35 -10- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 10/ 28
H.F. 2562 real property and is to be assessed and taxed as real estate. 1 However, if If a modular home is placed in a manufactured home 2 community or mobile home park which was in existence on or 3 before January 1, 1998 , that modular home , as well as any and 4 all garages, accessory buildings, and appurtenances to the 5 home, shall be subject to property tax pursuant to section 6 435.22 exempt from property tax . This subsection shall not 7 prohibit the location of a modular home within a manufactured 8 home community or mobile home park. 9 Sec. 30. Section 435.23, Code 2022, is amended to read as 10 follows: 11 435.23 Exemptions —— prorating tax . 12 1. The manufacturer’s and retailer’s inventory of mobile 13 homes, manufactured homes, or modular homes not in use as a 14 place of human habitation shall be exempt from the annual 15 property tax and any personal property tax . All travel 16 trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, and towable recreational 17 vehicles shall be exempt from this tax. The homes, travel 18 trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, and towable recreational 19 vehicles in the inventory of manufacturers and retailers shall 20 be exempt from personal property tax. 21 2. The homes coming into Iowa from out of state and located 22 in a manufactured home community or mobile home park shall 23 be liable for the tax computed pro rata to the nearest whole 24 month, for the time the home is actually situated in Iowa. 25 Sec. 31. Section 435.24, Code 2022, is amended by striking 26 the section and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 27 435.24 Location of homes and reporting. 28 1. Upon issuance of a certificate of title or upon 29 transporting the home to a new site or to a location outside 30 of a manufactured home community or mobile home park, the home 31 owner shall file the address, township, and school district 32 of the location where the home is parked with the county 33 assessor’s office. Failure to comply is punishable as set out 34 in section 435.18. 35 -11- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 11/ 28
H.F. 2562 2. Each manufactured home community or mobile home park 1 owner or manager shall notify monthly the county assessor 2 concerning any home arriving in or departing from the 3 manufactured home community or mobile home park. The records 4 of the community or park owner shall be open to inspection by a 5 duly authorized representative of any law enforcement agency. 6 The manufactured home community or mobile home park owner or 7 manager shall make an annual report to the county assessor due 8 June 1 of the homes sited in the manufactured home community or 9 mobile home park, listing the owner and mailing address of each 10 home located in the manufactured home community or mobile home 11 park. The report is delinquent if not filed with the county 12 assessor by June 30. 13 Sec. 32. Section 435.26A, subsection 3, Code 2022, is 14 amended to read as follows: 15 3. After the surrender of a manufactured home’s certificate 16 of title under this section , the manufactured home shall 17 continue to be taxed under section 435.22 and is not eligible 18 for the homestead tax credit or the military service tax 19 exemption. A foreclosure action on a manufactured home 20 whose title has been surrendered under this section shall be 21 conducted as a real estate foreclosure. A tax lien and its 22 priority shall remain the same on a manufactured home after its 23 certificate of title has been surrendered. 24 Sec. 33. Section 435.27, subsections 1 and 3, Code 2022, are 25 amended to read as follows: 26 1. A mobile home or manufactured home converted to real 27 estate under section 435.26 may be reconverted to a home as 28 provided in this section when it is moved to a manufactured 29 home community or mobile home park or a manufactured or mobile 30 home retailer’s inventory. When the home is located within 31 a manufactured home community or mobile home park, the home , 32 as well as any and all garages, accessory buildings, and 33 appurtenances to the home, shall be taxed pursuant to section 34 435.22, subsection 1 , paragraph “a” exempt from property tax as 35 -12- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 12/ 28
H.F. 2562 provided in this chapter . 1 3. After compliance with subsection 2 and receipt of the 2 title, the owner shall notify the assessor of the reconversion. 3 The assessor shall remove the assessed valuation of the home 4 from assessment rolls as of the succeeding January 1 when the 5 home becomes subject to taxation as provided under section 6 435.24 , as well as any and all garages, accessory buildings, 7 and appurtenances to the home, become exempt from property tax 8 as provided in this chapter . 9 Sec. 34. Section 435.33, Code 2022, is amended to read as 10 follows: 11 435.33 Rent reimbursement. 12 A home owner who qualifies for a reduced tax rate provided 13 in section 435.22 the exemption under this chapter and who 14 rents a space upon which to set the home shall be entitled to 15 the protections provided in sections 425.33 through 425.36 16 and if the home owner who qualifies for a reduced tax rate 17 the exemption believes that a landlord has increased the home 18 owner’s rent because the home owner is eligible for a reduced 19 tax rate the exemption , the provisions of sections 425.33 and 20 425.36 shall be applicable. 21 Sec. 35. Section 445.1, subsection 8, Code 2022, is amended 22 to read as follows: 23 8. “Taxes” means an annual ad valorem tax, a special 24 assessment, a drainage tax, and a rate or charge , and taxes 25 on homes pursuant to chapter 435 which are collectible by the 26 county treasurer. 27 Sec. 36. Section 445.5, subsection 6, Code 2022, is amended 28 to read as follows: 29 6. The county treasurer shall deliver to the taxpayer a 30 receipt stating the year of tax, date of payment, a description 31 of the parcel, and the amount of taxes, interest, fees, and 32 costs paid when payment is made by cash tender. A receipt 33 for other payment tender types shall only be delivered upon 34 request. The receipt shall be in full for the first half, 35 -13- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 13/ 28
H.F. 2562 second half, or full year amounts unless a payment is made 1 under section 445.36A or 435.24, subsection 6 . 2 Sec. 37. Section 445.57, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 3 to read as follows: 4 1. On or before the tenth day of each month, the county 5 treasurer shall apportion all taxes collected during the 6 preceding month, except partial payment amounts collected 7 pursuant to section 445.36A, subsection 1 , partial payments 8 collected and not yet designated by the county treasurer 9 for apportionment pursuant to section 445.36A, subsection 10 2 , partial payments collected pursuant to section 435.24, 11 subsection 6 , paragraph “a” , and partial payments collected and 12 not yet designated by the county treasurer for apportionment 13 pursuant to section 435.24, subsection 6 , paragraph “b” , among 14 the several funds to which they belong according to the amount 15 levied for each fund, and shall apportion the interest, fees, 16 and costs on the taxes to the general fund, and shall enter 17 those amounts upon the treasurer’s cash account, and report the 18 amounts to the county auditor. 19 Sec. 38. Section 555B.2, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 20 to read as follows: 21 1. A real property owner may remove or cause to be removed 22 a mobile home and other personal property which is unlawfully 23 parked, placed, or abandoned on that real property, and may 24 cause the mobile home and personal property to be placed in 25 storage until the owner of the personal property pays a fair 26 and reasonable charge for removal, storage, or other expense 27 incurred, including reasonable attorney fees, or until a 28 judgment of abandonment is entered pursuant to section 555B.8 29 provided that there is no lien on the mobile home or personal 30 property other than a tax lien pursuant to chapter 435 . For 31 purposes of this chapter , a lien other than a tax lien exists 32 only if the real property owner receives notice of a lien 33 on the standardized registration form completed by a tenant 34 pursuant to section 562B.27, subsection 3 , or a lien has been 35 -14- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 14/ 28
H.F. 2562 filed in state or county records on a date before the mobile 1 home is considered to be abandoned. The real property owner 2 or the real property owner’s agent is not liable for damages 3 caused to the mobile home and personal property by the removal 4 or storage unless the damage is caused willfully or by gross 5 negligence. 6 Sec. 39. Section 555C.1, subsection 5, paragraph b, Code 7 2022, is amended to read as follows: 8 b. A lien of record , other than a tax lien as provided in 9 chapter 435 , does not exist against the home. A lien exists 10 only if the real property owner receives notice of a lien on 11 the standardized registration form completed by an owner or 12 occupant pursuant to chapter 562B , or a lien has been filed 13 in the state or county records on a date before the home is 14 considered to be valueless. 15 Sec. 40. Section 555C.3, Code 2022, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 555C.3 New title —— third party. 18 If a new title to a valueless home is to be issued to a 19 third party, the county treasurer shall issue a new title, upon 20 receipt of the affidavit required in section 555C.2 and payment 21 of a fee pursuant to section 321.47 . Any tax lien levied 22 pursuant to chapter 435 is canceled and the The ownership 23 interest of the previous owner or occupant of the valueless 24 home is terminated as of the date of issuance of the new title. 25 The new title owner shall take the title free of all rights and 26 interests even though the manufactured home community or mobile 27 home park owner fails to comply with the requirements of this 28 chapter or any judicial proceedings, if the new title owner 29 acts in good faith. 30 Sec. 41. REPEAL. Sections 435.22, 435.25, and 435.29, Code 31 2022, are repealed. 32 Sec. 42. SAVINGS PROVISION. This division of this Act, 33 pursuant to section 4.13, does not affect the operation of, 34 or prohibit the application of, prior provisions of chapter 35 -15- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 15/ 28
H.F. 2562 435, or rules adopted under chapter 17A to administer prior 1 provisions of chapter 435, for taxes due and payable under 2 chapter 435 in fiscal years beginning before July 1, 2022, and 3 for duties, powers, protests, appeals, proceedings, actions, or 4 remedies attributable to taxes due and payable under chapter 5 435 in fiscal years beginning before July 1, 2022. 6 Sec. 43. APPLICABILITY. This division of this Act applies 7 to taxes due and payable under chapter 435 in fiscal years 8 beginning on or after July 1, 2022. 9 DIVISION X 10 FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER 11 Sec. 44. Section 648.5, subsections 1 and 3, Code 2022, are 12 amended to read as follows: 13 1. a. An action for forcible entry and detainer shall 14 be brought in a county where all or part of the premises is 15 located. Such an action shall be tried as an equitable action. 16 Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall set a date, time, 17 and place for hearing. The court shall set the date of hearing 18 no later than eight days from the filing date, except that the 19 court shall set a later hearing date no later than fifteen days 20 from the date of filing if the plaintiff requests or consents 21 to the later date of hearing. 22 b. The requirement regarding the setting of the initial 23 hearing in paragraph “a” is not a jurisdictional requirement and 24 does not affect the court’s subject matter jurisdiction to hear 25 the action for forcible entry and detainer. 26 3. Service of original notice by mail is deemed completed 27 four days after the notice is deposited in the mail and 28 postmarked for delivery, whether or not the recipient signs a 29 receipt for the original notice. In computing the time for 30 completion of service, the first day shall be excluded and the 31 final day shall be included regardless of whether the fourth 32 day is a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. 33 DIVISION XI 34 ABANDONED MOBILE HOMES 35 -16- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 16/ 28
H.F. 2562 Sec. 45. Section 555B.3, Code 2022, is amended to read as 1 follows: 2 555B.3 Action for abandonment —— jurisdiction. 3 A real property owner not requesting notification by the 4 sheriff as provided in section 555B.2 may bring an action 5 alleging abandonment in the court within the county where the 6 real property is located provided that there is no lien on 7 the mobile home or personal property other than a tax lien 8 pursuant to chapter 435 . The action shall be tried as an 9 equitable action. Unless commenced as a small claim, the 10 petition shall be presented to a district judge. Upon receipt 11 of the petition, either the court or the clerk of the district 12 court shall set a date for a hearing not later than fourteen 13 days from the date of the receipt of the petition , except where 14 there is a lien on the mobile home or personal property other 15 than a tax lien, the court or the clerk of the district court 16 shall set a date for a hearing no sooner than twenty-five days 17 from the date of the receipt of the petition so as to allow for 18 service on the lienholder . 19 Sec. 46. Section 555B.4, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 20 following new subsections: 21 NEW SUBSECTION . 4. If a lien other than a tax lien exists 22 on the mobile home or personal property at the time an action 23 for abandonment is initiated, the personal service pursuant 24 to the Iowa rules of civil procedure shall be made upon the 25 lienholder no less than twenty days before the hearing. The 26 notice to the lienholder shall describe the mobile home and 27 shall state the docket, case number, date, and time at which 28 the hearing is scheduled, and the lienholder’s right to assert 29 a claim to the mobile home at the hearing. The notice shall 30 state that failure to assert a claim to the mobile home within 31 the judicial proceedings is deemed a waiver of all rights, 32 title, claims, and interest in the mobile home and deemed to 33 be consent to the sale or disposal of the mobile home. If 34 personal service cannot be completed in time to give the 35 -17- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 17/ 28
H.F. 2562 lienholder the minimum notice required by this subsection, the 1 court may set a new hearing date. 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 5. In the event a tenant who was sole owner 3 of a mobile home dies during the term of the rental agreement 4 resulting in the mobile home being abandoned, service shall be 5 made in accordance with section 562B.10, subsection 7. 6 Sec. 47. Section 555B.8, subsections 2 and 3, Code 2022, are 7 amended to read as follows: 8 2. If Except as otherwise ordered by the court, if the 9 mobile home owner or other claimant asserts a claim to the 10 property, the judgment shall be satisfied before the mobile 11 home owner or other claimant may take possession of the mobile 12 home or personal property. 13 3. If no claim is asserted to the mobile home or personal 14 property or if the judgment is not satisfied at the time of 15 entry, an order shall be entered allowing the real property 16 owner to sell or otherwise dispose of the mobile home and 17 personal property pursuant to section 555B.9 . If Except as 18 otherwise ordered by the court, if a claimant satisfies the 19 judgment at the time of entry, the court shall enter an order 20 permitting and directing the claimant to remove the mobile home 21 or personal property from its location within a reasonable time 22 to be fixed by the court. The court shall also determine the 23 amount of further rent or storage charges to be paid by the 24 claimant to the real property owner at the time of removal. 25 Sec. 48. Section 555B.9, subsections 1, 2, and 4, Code 2022, 26 are amended to read as follows: 27 1. Pursuant to an order for disposal under section 555B.8, 28 subsection 3 , the real property owner shall dispose of the 29 mobile home and personal property by public or private sale in 30 a commercially reasonable manner. If the personal property 31 owner , lienholder, or other claimant has asserted a claim 32 to the mobile home or personal property within the judicial 33 proceedings , that person shall be notified of the sale by 34 restricted certified mail not less than five days before the 35 -18- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 18/ 28
H.F. 2562 sale. The notice is deemed given upon the mailing. The real 1 property owner may buy at any public sale, and if the mobile 2 home or personal property is of a type customarily sold in 3 a recognized market or is the subject of widely distributed 4 standard price quotations, the real property owner may buy at a 5 private sale. 6 2. A sale pursuant to subsection 1 transfers to the 7 purchaser for value, all of the mobile home owner’s rights 8 in the mobile home and personal property, and discharges the 9 real property owner’s interest in the mobile home and personal 10 property , and any tax lien , and any other lien . The purchaser 11 takes free of all rights and interests even though the real 12 property owner fails to comply with the requirements of this 13 chapter or of any judicial proceedings, if the purchaser acts 14 in good faith. 15 4. Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 3 , the real 16 property owner may propose to retain the mobile home and 17 personal property in satisfaction of the judgment obtained 18 pursuant to section 555B.8 . Written notice of the proposal 19 shall be sent to the mobile home owner , lienholder, or other 20 claimant, if that person has asserted a claim to the mobile 21 home or personal property in the judicial proceedings. If 22 the real property owner receives objection in writing from 23 the mobile home owner , lienholder, or other claimant within 24 twenty-one days after the notice was sent, the real property 25 owner shall dispose of the mobile home and personal property 26 pursuant to subsection 1 . If no written objection is received 27 by the real property owner within twenty-one days after the 28 notice was sent, the mobile home and personal property may be 29 retained. Retention of the mobile home and personal property 30 discharges the judgment of the real property owner , and any tax 31 lien , and any other lien . 32 Sec. 49. Section 555B.9, subsection 3, Code 2022, is amended 33 by adding the following new paragraph: 34 NEW PARAGRAPH . 0c. Third, to satisfy any other lien 35 -19- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 19/ 28
H.F. 2562 for which a claim was asserted pursuant to section 555B.4, 1 subsection 4. 2 Sec. 50. Section 562B.10, subsection 7, Code 2022, is 3 amended to read as follows: 4 7. a. If a tenant who was sole owner of a mobile home dies 5 during the term of a rental agreement then that person’s heirs 6 at law or legal the personal representative of the decedent’s 7 estate, or the landlord shall have the right to cancel the 8 tenant’s lease by giving sixty days’ written notice to the 9 person’s heirs at law or legal the personal representative 10 of the decedent’s estate, or to the landlord, whichever 11 is appropriate, and the heirs at law or the legal personal 12 representative of the decedent’s estate, shall have the same 13 rights, privileges and liabilities of the original tenant , 14 provided that such heirs at law and personal representative 15 of the estate shall not have the right to occupy or otherwise 16 use the home or mobile home space as a tenant unless approved 17 by the landlord as a tenant. In the event the landlord, 18 after such a written notice is given and the tenant’s lease 19 is canceled, brings an action for forcible entry and detainer 20 or action for abandonment, the estate of the tenant and the 21 person’s located heirs at law or personal representative shall 22 be named as defendants in the action. The landlord may serve 23 notice upon such defendants pursuant to the method set forth 24 in section 562B.27A, subsection 1, paragraph “c” , or by mailing 25 notice by both regular mail and certified mail, as defined in 26 section 618.15, to the defendant’s last known address . 27 b. (1) If a tenant who was sole owner of a mobile home dies 28 during the term of a rental agreement resulting in the mobile 29 home being abandoned as provided in section 562B.27, subsection 30 1, and the landlord cannot, despite due diligence, locate such 31 a tenant’s heirs at law or personal representative, then the 32 landlord may bring an action for abandonment as provided in 33 section 555B.3, naming as defendants the estate of the tenant 34 and all unknown heirs at law of the tenant, and, upon the 35 -20- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 20/ 28
H.F. 2562 landlord’s filing of an affidavit that personal service cannot 1 be had on any heirs at law, personal representative, or estate 2 of the tenant, the court shall permit original notice of such 3 action to be served by publication pursuant to subparagraph 4 (2). 5 (2) Publication of original notice shall be made once each 6 week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general 7 circulation published in the county where the petition is 8 filed, pursuant to the Iowa rules of civil procedure. Service 9 is complete after the third consecutive weekly publication. 10 (3) In the event any tax lien or other liens exist on 11 the mobile home, the landlord may proceed with an action for 12 abandonment as provided in section 555B.3, except that the 13 notice shall be provided to the county treasurer as provided 14 in section 555B.4, subsection 3, if a tax lien exists, and 15 personal service pursuant to the Iowa rules of civil procedure 16 shall be made upon any lienholder no less than twenty days 17 before the hearing. Any notice to a lienholder shall state 18 that failure to assert a claim to the mobile home is deemed a 19 waiver of all rights, title, claims, and interest in the mobile 20 home and is deemed consent to the sale or disposal of the 21 mobile home. If personal service upon the lienholder cannot 22 be completed in time to give the lienholder the minimum notice 23 required by this subsection, the court may set a new hearing 24 date. 25 EXPLANATION 26 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 27 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 28 This bill relates to property law, including mobile homes 29 and manufactured housing, rental agreements, landlord and 30 tenant remedies for retaliation, wrongful failure to provide 31 essential services, rent increases, the sale of manufactured 32 home community or mobile home park, the repeal of the 33 manufactured home community and mobile home tax, forcible entry 34 and detainer actions, and abandoned mobile homes. 35 -21- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 21/ 28
H.F. 2562 DIVISION I —— RETALIATION. The bill provides that a landlord 1 cannot retaliate against a tenant for exercising the rights and 2 remedies under Code chapter 216 (civil rights commission). In 3 an action by or against the tenant, evidence of a complaint 4 within one year prior to the alleged act of retaliation creates 5 a presumption that the landlord’s conduct was in retaliation. 6 DIVISION II —— RENTAL AGREEMENTS. The bill defines “rent” 7 to include base rent, utilities, late fees, and other payments 8 made by the tenant to the landlord under the rental agreement. 9 Written notice to cancel a rental agreement by either party 10 must be provided 90 days prior to cancellation. The landlord 11 must provide written notice 90 days prior to a rent increase 12 effective date. This division is effective upon enactment and 13 applies to rent increase first noticed under Code chapter 562B 14 (manufactured home communities or mobile home parks residential 15 landlord and tenant law) occurring on or after the effective 16 date of the division. 17 DIVISION III —— DISCLOSURE OF UTILITY CHARGES. The bill 18 provides that tenants shall be notified of any increase 19 in utility rates or charges in writing 60 days before the 20 effective date of the increase, unless the landlord does not 21 receive at least 90 days’ prior notice of such increase from 22 the utility provider. A landlord is authorized to meter a 23 premises and to assess a utility charge to the tenant unless 24 doing so would be contrary to applicable law, rule, or tariff. 25 DIVISION IV —— WRONGFUL FAILURE TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL 26 SERVICES. The bill provides that if the landlord deliberately 27 or negligently fails to supply running water or other essential 28 services, the tenant may give written notice to the landlord 29 specifying the breach and may do one of the following: (1) 30 procure reasonable amounts of water or other essential 31 services, (2) recover damages based upon the diminution 32 in the fair market value of the mobile home space, or (3) 33 recover any rent already paid for the period of the landlord’s 34 noncompliance unless the condition was caused by the deliberate 35 -22- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 22/ 28
H.F. 2562 or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of 1 the tenant’s family, or other person on the premises with 2 the consent of the tenant. This division is effective upon 3 enactment. 4 DIVISION V —— DENIAL OF RENTAL OR REFUSAL OF SALE. Current 5 law allows a landlord the right to approve the purchaser of 6 a mobile home as a tenant when a current mobile home park 7 resident sells the mobile home, so long as permission is not 8 unreasonably withheld. The bill provides that if the landlord 9 does not approve a purchaser as a tenant, the landlord shall 10 provide the purchaser with written notice of such denial and 11 the general reason for the denial. 12 DIVISION VI —— PROHIBITED RENTAL AGREEMENT PROVISION —— HOME 13 EQUIPMENT. The bill provides that a rental agreement shall 14 not allow a landlord to modify the mobile home, manufactured 15 home, or modular home in a way that would substantially 16 impair the ability of the tenant to move the home from the 17 mobile home space, unless such modification is required 18 by federal law, by state or local law, the manufacturer’s 19 installation instructions, any requirement arising from the 20 landlord’s financing of the home or of the mobile home park or 21 manufactured home community in which the home is located, or 22 unless such modification is otherwise necessary for the safe 23 and proper installation of the home. 24 DIVISION VII —— LANDLORD SALES. The bill provides that any 25 sale of a mobile home located in a manufactured home community 26 or mobile home park by a landlord or landlord’s agent shall be 27 by written agreement and the landlord shall, upon the buyer’s 28 fulfillment of all payment and other terms under the agreement, 29 produce and assign the current certificate of title obtained 30 from the department of transportation. The agreement shall 31 state the basic terms of sale. If a sale does not comply, the 32 court may award monetary or equitable relief, including voiding 33 the sale, and the buyer may recover damages incurred, amounts 34 paid as a rental deposit in excess of two months’ rent, and 35 -23- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 23/ 28
H.F. 2562 reasonable attorney fees. 1 DIVISION VIII —— SALE OF MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITY 2 OR MOBILE HOME PARK. The bill provides that in a sale of 3 a manufactured home community or mobile home park, upon 4 termination of the landlord’s interest in the manufactured 5 home community or mobile home park, the landlord’s successor 6 in interest shall have the same legal obligations, rights, 7 and remedies of the landlord, including with respect to all 8 rental agreements. This division applies to manufactured 9 home community or mobile home park sales made on or after the 10 effective date of the bill. 11 DIVISION IX —— MANUFACTURED AND MOBILE HOME TAX. Code 12 chapter 435 imposes a square footage tax on mobile homes and 13 manufactured homes placed in a mobile home park or manufactured 14 home community. Division IX strikes the portions of Code 15 chapter 435 imposing the square footage tax and provides 16 instead that such homes are exempt from property tax. However, 17 the bill does not modify the provisions of law governing 18 the taxation of mobile homes and manufactured homes placed 19 outside of manufactured home communities and mobile home parks, 20 which are assessed and taxed in the same manner as other real 21 property. 22 Division IX also makes corresponding changes to several 23 other provisions of law that relate to Code chapter 435. 24 Division IX of the bill applies to taxes due and payable 25 under Code chapter 435 in fiscal years beginning on or after 26 July 1, 2022. Division IX of the bill does not affect the 27 operation of, or prohibit the application of, prior provisions 28 of Code chapter 435, or rules adopted to administer prior 29 provisions of Code chapter 435, for taxes due and payable in 30 fiscal years beginning before July 1, 2022, and for duties, 31 powers, protests, appeals, proceedings, actions, or remedies 32 attributable to taxes due and payable under Code chapter 435 in 33 fiscal years beginning before July 1, 2022. 34 DIVISION X —— FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER. The bill provides 35 -24- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 24/ 28
H.F. 2562 the setting of the initial hearing in a forcible entry and 1 detainer action is not a jurisdictional requirement and does 2 not affect the court’s subject matter jurisdiction to hear the 3 action for forcible entry and detainer. In computing time for 4 completion of service for a forcible detainer and entry action, 5 the first day shall be excluded and the final day shall be 6 included regardless of whether the fourth day is a Saturday, 7 Sunday, or federal holiday. 8 DIVISION XI —— ABANDONED MOBILE HOMES. The bill provides 9 that in an action for abandonment, except when there is a lien 10 on the property other than a tax lien, the court shall set a 11 hearing no sooner than 25 days of the date of receipt of the 12 petition to allow service on the lienholder. 13 The bill provides that if a lien other than a tax lien 14 exists on the mobile home or personal property at the time 15 an action for abandonment is initiated, the personal service 16 shall be made upon the lienholder no less than 20 days before 17 the hearing. The notice to the lienholder shall describe the 18 mobile home and shall state the docket, case number, date, and 19 time at which the hearing is scheduled, and the lienholder’s 20 right to assert a claim to the mobile home at the hearing. 21 The notice shall state that failure to assert a claim to the 22 mobile home within the judicial proceedings is deemed a waiver 23 of all rights, title, claims, and interest in the mobile home 24 and deemed to be consent to the sale or disposal of the mobile 25 home. If personal service cannot be completed in time to give 26 the lienholder the minimum notice, the court may set a new 27 hearing date. 28 The bill provides that in the event a tenant who was sole 29 owner of a mobile home dies during the term of the rental 30 agreement resulting in the mobile home being abandoned, then 31 that person’s heirs or legal representative or the landlord 32 shall have the right to cancel the tenant’s lease by giving 33 60 days’ written notice to the person’s heirs or legal 34 representative or to the landlord, whichever is appropriate, 35 -25- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 25/ 28
H.F. 2562 and the heirs or the legal representative shall have the same 1 rights, privileges and liabilities of the original tenant. 2 The bill provides that if a claimant that asserts a claim 3 to the property, the judgment shall be satisfied before 4 the claimant may take possession of the property except as 5 otherwise ordered by the court. Unless the court otherwise 6 provides, if a claimant satisfies the judgment at the time of 7 entry, the court shall enter an order allowing the claimant 8 to remove the property from its location, and the court shall 9 direct the amount of rent or storage charged. 10 The bill provides that in a proceeding for disposal of 11 property, if a lienholder or other claimant asserts a claim to 12 the property within a judicial proceeding, that person shall 13 be notified of the sale by restricted certified mail not less 14 than five days before the sale. A sale made after the notice 15 is provided shall discharge any lien. The real property owner 16 may propose to retain the mobile home and personal property in 17 satisfaction of the judgment by written notice of the proposal 18 sent to the mobile home owner, lienholder, or other claimant, 19 if that person has asserted a claim to the mobile home or 20 personal property in the judicial proceedings. If the real 21 property owner receives objection in writing from the mobile 22 home owner, lienholder, or other claimant within 21 days after 23 the notice was sent, the real property owner shall dispose of 24 the mobile home and personal property. If no written objection 25 is received by the real property owner, the mobile home and 26 personal property may be retained. Retention of the mobile 27 home and personal property discharges the judgment of the real 28 property owner, any tax lien, and any other lien. 29 Current law provides that any proceeds in a proceeding for 30 the disposal of a mobile home and personal property shall be 31 distributed in the following order: (1) to satisfy the real 32 property owner’s judgment, (2) to satisfy any tax lien, and (3) 33 into a surplus which is held by the real property owner for 34 six months to be reclaimed by the mobile home owner, and if 35 -26- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 26/ 28
H.F. 2562 the mobile home owner fails to claim the surplus, the surplus 1 may be retained by the real property owner. The bill provides 2 that after using proceeds to satisfy a tax lien, the proceeds 3 must be used to satisfy any other lien, and then any remaining 4 amounts are the surplus. 5 The bill provides that if a tenant who was sole owner of a 6 mobile home dies during the term of a rental agreement, then 7 that person’s heirs at law or the personal representative 8 of the decedent’s estate, or the landlord shall have the 9 right to cancel the tenant’s lease by giving 60 days’ 10 written notice to the person’s heirs at law or the personal 11 representative of the decedent’s estate, or to the landlord, 12 whichever is appropriate, and the heirs at law or the personal 13 representative of the decedent’s estate shall have the same 14 rights, privileges, and liabilities of the original tenant, 15 provided that such heirs at law or personal representative of 16 the estate shall not have the right to occupy or otherwise 17 use the home or mobile home space as a tenant unless approved 18 by the landlord as a tenant. In the event the landlord, 19 after such a written notice is given and the tenant’s lease 20 is canceled, brings an action for forcible entry and detainer 21 or action for abandonment, the estate of the tenant and the 22 person’s located heirs at law or personal representative shall 23 be named as defendants in the action. The landlord may serve 24 notice upon such defendants pursuant to the method set forth in 25 Code section 562B.27A or by mailing notice by both regular mail 26 and certified mail to the defendant’s last known address. 27 The bill provides that if a tenant who was sole owner of 28 a mobile home dies during the term of a rental agreement 29 resulting in the mobile home being abandoned and the landlord 30 cannot locate such a tenant’s heirs at law or personal 31 representative, then the landlord may bring an action for 32 abandonment naming as defendants the estate of the tenant 33 and all unknown heirs at law of the tenant, and, upon the 34 landlord’s filing of an affidavit that personal service cannot 35 -27- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 27/ 28
H.F. 2562 be had on any heirs at law, personal representative, or estate 1 of the tenant, the court shall permit original notice of 2 such action to be served by publication once each week for 3 three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation 4 published in the county where the petition is filed. Service 5 is complete after the third consecutive weekly publication. 6 The bill provides in the event any tax lien or other liens 7 exist on the mobile home, the landlord may proceed with an 8 action for abandonment with notice provided to the county 9 treasurer if a tax lien exists, and personal service upon any 10 lienholder no less than 20 days before the hearing. Any notice 11 to a lienholder shall state that failure to assert a claim 12 to the mobile home is deemed a waiver of all rights, title, 13 claims, and interest in the mobile home and is deemed consent 14 to the sale or disposal of the mobile home. If personal 15 service upon the lienholder cannot be completed in time to give 16 the lienholder the minimum notice required by the bill, the 17 court may set a new hearing date. 18 -28- LSB 2003HW (2) 89 cm/jh 28/ 28