New year brings rental housing inspections
The Mount Ayr city council approved the third reading of the rental housing ordinance and discussed next steps at their regular meeting last month, Wednesday, December 18. While the council formally passed the new Rental Housing Code, it now moves on to Mayor Steve Fetty for his signature of acceptance or veto.
Council member Jessica Murphy asked what next steps look like, and how soon they would be moving forward.
City Administrator Brent Wise noted the City of Mount Ayr will need to publish a notice of the new ordinance, Chapter 161, Rental Housing Code, in the Mount Ayr Record News, and notify landlords about how and when they plan to start rental housing inspections.
The city will also need to establish a housing board consisting of five members who do not hold any elective office in municipal government, as spelled out in the new ordinance.
The board will have the authority to grant variances in specific cases, and can also establish a general variance for existing structures which cannot practically meet the standards of the Rental Housing Code by majority vote.
Administrator Wise estimated they would potentially have a plan of how they would be moving forward for the March 2025 regular council meeting.
The new ordinance sets minimum structure standards for all rental housing units or apartments, in accordance with Iowa Code. Additionally, the ordinance details property owners responsibilities for maintaining the structures and related electrical, plumbing and heating systems and appliances.
The new ordinance also authorizes the City of Mount Ayr to administer and enforce the inspection of all rental housing units within the city limits.
All rental housing owners or operators will need to file an application for a rental permit, along with a $10 registration fee for each rental unit, or $20 for each apartment complex.
Starting this year, all rental dwelling units or rooms will require a valid rental permit, and landlords will be in violation of the Rental Housing Code if they do not have a valid rental permit issued by the City of Mount Ayr.
Inspection of rental units will be conducted upon application for a rental permit, by request, due to change of occupant, or periodically every 1-3 years.
A copy of the new Rental Housing Code and related fee structure can be obtained from the City of Mount Ayr by visiting city hall.
