SF 397 (LSB 2647XS (2) 89)

SENATE FILE 397

BY  BOLKCOM

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to city inspections of rental properties, and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 364.17, subsection 3, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  c.  A city rental inspection program required under paragraph “a” shall require an inspector to inspect for the presence of mold. A rental property owner who has been ordered to mitigate mold discovered during a rental inspection who has failed to correct the violation within a reasonable time, as prescribed in the applicable order, commits a simple misdemeanor.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to city inspections of rental properties. Under current law, a city with a population of 15,000 or more is required to adopt an approved housing code and enforcement procedures, which must include a program for regular rental inspections, rental inspections upon receipt of complaints, and certification of inspected rental housing. Current law authorizes a city that has adopted an approved housing code to issue orders requiring violations to be corrected within a reasonable time and issue citations upon the failure to satisfactorily remedy a violation.
   The bill requires a city rental inspection program to require that an inspector inspect for the presence of mold. Under the bill, a rental property owner who has been ordered to mitigate mold discovered during a rental inspection who has failed to correct the violation within a reasonable time commits a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than 30 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.