Know Your Rental Rights November 11, 2015

Transcription

1 Know Your Rental Rights November 11, 2015

2 Agenda 1) Introductions 2) Landlord/Tenant Issues 3) Inspection Process 4) Code Enforcement 5) Questions

3 Landlord Tenant Issues 1) Common Causes of Fires 2) Rental Shopping for a rental Common Tenant Issues Renter Rights Renters Insurance Sublease Utilities Bed Bugs 3) Disputes between landlords and tenants is a private civil issue 4) Contact an attorney/legal aid 5) City staff can not give legal advice

4 Inspection Process Building Maintenance

5 Inspection Process Outlets

6 Inspection Process Extension Cords and Utilities

7 Inspection Process Smoke Detectors and Extinguishers

8 Mold In order for mold to grow indoors, there must be a significant source of water, moisture or humidity. When discovered, the first step is to get rid of the moisture. Once the moisture problem is solved, the mold can be cleaned or removed. Mold can cause allergic reactions. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), about 50% of the U.S. population is allergic to mold. Common places for mold is under sinks, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, basement, attic, etc.

9 Helpful Links Link to 2015 Rental Housing Handbook STATE OF IOWA RENTAL CODE CITY OF CEDAR FALLS LOCAL RENTAL CODE. IOWA LEGAL AID GUIDE TO LANDLORD TENANT LAW

10 Code Enforcement 1) Inspection Process 2) Common Cases Building maintenance Snow/ice on sidewalks Loud parties Front yard parking/unauthorized parking Trash/litter in the yard Furniture in the yard Over-occupancy 3) Landlord Accountability 4) Notification Process

11 Code Enforcement Loud Parties

12 Code Enforcement Illegal Storage of Materials Items Placed at the Street Curb Not Acceptable Contact Municipal Operations & Programs at to schedule a pick up time

13 Code Enforcement Illegal Parking

14 Landlord Accountability (adopted ) A) Point System (1) For over-occupancy, 5 points; (2) For occupancy of a dwelling unit without minimum rental housing occupancy permit, 5 points; (3) For illegal creation of new dwelling units or bedrooms, 5 points; (4) For unauthorized building improvements, 5 points; (5) For illegal front yard/side yard parking, 3 points; (6) For creation of an unapproved parking area, 5 points; (7) For violations of the minimum rental housing code, 3 points; (8) For failure to comply with inspection schedule, 5 points; (9) For loud parties, 5 points; (10) For improper use of indoor furniture stored outside or improper outdoor storage of miscellaneous debris items, 3 points; (11) For failure to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalks, 3 points; (12) For improper placement of discarded items at the street curb, 3 points; (13) For junk, inoperable vehicles, unlicensed vehicles, 3 points; (14) For trash or litter in yard areas of the property, 3 points;

15 Landlord Accountability (cont.) A) Point System (cont.) (15) For overflowing trash dumpsters or refuse cans, 3 points; (16) For brush piles and other vegetative debris, 3 points; (17) For illegal burning of trash, leaves or other vegetation, 3 points; (18) For unauthorized outdoor fires, 3 points; (19) For un-mowed grass or weeds, 3 points; (20) For overgrown brush, tree branches, vegetation obstructing sidewalk, 3 points; (21) For refuse containers/carts placed at the curb before and after pick up, 2 points; (22) For making or causing noise, 3 points; (23) For any other nuisance, 2 points; (24) For failure of the owner to comply certifications of owner, 3 points; (25) For failure of the owner/manager of any property, to respond to a police request, 5 points; (26) For any violation of Article II, International Fire Code, 3 points. B) Notification Process C) Appeal Process

16 Rental Ordinance Open House/Public Meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 4:00 pm at the Public Works Facility 2200 Technology Parkway Questions Contacts: John Schilling: Fire Chief ph John.Schilling@cedarfalls.com Bobby Wright: Rental Inspector ph Bobby.Wright@cedarfalls,com David Sturch: Planner III ph David.Sturch@cedarfalls.com Kari Rea: Code Enforcement Officer ph Kari.Rea@cedarfalls.com Craig Witry: Building Official ph Craig.Witry@cedarfalls.com