HF 743 would allow Iowa cities to require new buyers of single-family homes to live in the property as their primary residence for at least two years before selling it. The bill defines "occupy" as physically residing in the home as a primary dwelling and permits cities to grant exceptions for "good faith" reasons like job loss or health issues. This requirement would directly affect homebuyers in cities that choose to implement this rule. Cities would have the option to adopt this policy but are not required to do so. The bill focuses on regulating short-term resale activity to promote community stability.
HF 740 limits rent increases for current tenants in Iowa residential rentals and mobile home parks. Landlords cannot raise rents more than three times the Midwest consumer price index (CPI) increase over the past year or the assessed property value increase (whichever is higher), whichever is greater. Mobile home park tenants must receive written notice of any rent increase at least 90 days before it takes effect. The bill directly affects existing renters in these housing types by capping annual rent hikes based on economic or property value metrics.
HB 141 allows tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, elder abuse, or other qualifying crimes to terminate rental agreements early without penalty. Tenants must provide written notice to landlords along with specific documentation, such as a protective order, police report, or medical documentation from a licensed provider verifying the victimization. The bill protects tenants from being charged fees, losing security deposits, or receiving negative credit references for using this right, and prohibits landlords from refusing to rent based on prior use of this provision. Tenants remain responsible for rent through the termination date (14-30 days after notice) but are released from liability for future rent or damages.
This bill (HSB 234) updates Iowa's property law by increasing the annual license fee for manufactured/mobile home retailers from $100 to $120 (Section 1). It defines "rent" to include all payments tenants make to landlords, such as base rent, utilities, and late fees (Section 2). The bill strengthens tenant protections by making prohibited terms in rental agreements unenforceable and allowing tenants to recover damages if landlords knowingly enforce them (Sections 4, 7). It also clarifies notice requirements for landlords, specifying that mailed notices are deemed delivered four days after mailing (Sections 3, 6), and restricts landlord access to mobile homes except in emergencies or after court orders (Section 8). These changes directly affect mobile home retailers, landlords, and tenants in rental agreements.
HF 983 revises Iowa's landlord-tenant laws and eviction procedures. It defines "rent" to include base rent, utilities, late fees, and other payments in rental agreements, and changes mail notice timing to be completed four days after mailing (regardless of weekends or holidays). The bill makes prohibited terms in rental agreements unenforceable, allowing tenants to recover actual damages and attorney fees if landlords enforce them. Additionally, it updates notice requirements to mandate posting on dwelling doors and dual mailings (regular and certified), and adds rules for sealing court records in eviction cases after seven years without subsequent evictions.
HB 261 modifies Iowa's landlord-tenant laws and eviction procedures. It clarifies that "rent" includes base rent, utilities, and late fees (Sec. 1), requires mailed notices to be deemed delivered four days after mailing (Secs. 2, 5), and makes prohibited rental terms unenforceable with penalties like up to three months' rent and attorney fees (Secs. 3, 6). The bill also updates notice requirements for postings and mailings (Secs. 4, 7, 8, 9) and adds a new provision allowing eviction records to be sealed after seven years with no subsequent cases (Sec. 11). These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and courts handling residential eviction cases in Iowa.
HF 700 requires landlords in Iowa rental properties to address elevated radon levels detected by tenants. Tenants may test for radon or hire a certified professional; if results show 4 picocuries per liter or higher (the EPA action level), they must notify the landlord in writing. Landlords must then arrange a confirmatory test, and if radon remains at or above that level, install a certified radon mitigation system within 90 days, followed by retesting. If landlords fail to install mitigation or radon levels persist, tenants may terminate their lease with full rent and deposit refunds, no penalties, and written notice. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in Iowa housing by establishing clear radon testing, mitigation, and lease termination procedures.
This bill, HSB 117, changes how court records are handled in residential eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer actions) in Iowa. It requires courts to seal (make private) records within three days if the tenant wins, the case is dismissed, the landlord fails to appear, or the court finds no real dispute between parties. For tenants found guilty of nonpayment, records can be sealed after seven years if they’ve paid all costs, had no recent evictions, and haven’t previously had records sealed. Once sealed, records are removed from public view but can be accessed by tenants for their own case, for scholarly purposes with redacted names, or through anonymized public reports about eviction trends.
