City alters rental housing inspection program, now utilizes contractor

Transitioning from its former method of using the fire marshal to administer rental housing inspections, the City of Newton’s community development department will now utilize a private contractor to establish minimum standards and regular safety assessments among the more than 2,000 rental property units in town.

Community development reached out to 25 different inspection firms, of which nine were interested. After eventually settling on Iowa Inspections, LLC to conduct the inspection processes, staff formulated new policies and updated the manner in which the Rental Housing Inspection Program will be applied for landlords.

City planner Brian Dunkelberger will be the main point of contact for the administrative side, or what he describes as the “front-end work” to make sure all properties are registered with the City of Newton. He also handles any filed complaints and is in charge of facilitating the appeals process for landlords who disagree with an inspection’s findings.

“It simplifies a lot more because we somewhat separate it,” Dunkelberger said. “So the registration side is me and the inspection side is Iowa Inspections. The landlord and the property owner hands that payment directly to the inspector and we stay out of that end of it. The registration side is a lot simpler.”

Earlier this month, the Newton City Council adopted an administration policy to indicate the guidelines needed to implement the rental housing program and how the Minimum Rental Housing Code will be enforced, when inspections are required and how permit renewal deadlines will be set up throughout the city.

Registration renewal deadlines will vary and are largely determined by the location of rental properties in town.

Dunkelberger said those properties in Newton will be divided into four quadrants, each of which have their own corresponding renewal deadlines. Staff used First Street as its north-to-south axis and First Avenue as its east-to-west axis.

Registration in the northwest quadrant is due March 31, northeast quadrant is due June 30, southeast quadrant is due Sept. 30 and southwest quadrant is due Dec. 31. City documents say rental property owners will be extended a grace period to appropriately transition to the new registration renewal fee schedule.

Since a city staff member is no longer conducting the property inspections, the annual permit fee has now decreased from $35 per year to $15 per year.

However, late fees will be enforced at $15 per day, per unit until 10 days have passed, at which time the affected property or properties may receive a municipal infraction, penalty fee or revocation of a rental permit or be required to vacate. Landlords may appeal to the Buildings and Trades Board for no cost.

Jason VanAusdall, a contracted rental property inspector for Iowa Inspections, services housing units in Newton, Colfax, Mitchellville and Oskaloosa. Inspecting a property, he said, begins at the curb line. Typically, a property owner is notified ahead of time. His job is to make sure property owners understand the ordinance as well as correct any deficiencies and make sure the home is safe to live in and meets code requirements.

Minor violations require a reinspection within 60 days. According to city documents, major violations that require a mandatory 48-hour reinspection include:

• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that are missing, inoperable or are improperly placed.

• Storage of flammable liquids in a dwelling.

• Fuel fired equipment with missing or inoperable flues.

• Electrical cords or wiring that shows signs of failure.

• Inoperable heating system during winter months, generally considered between November and March.

• Other life safety issues or items as determined by the designated inspector.

VanAusdall said he wants to have a steady communication with landlords in Newton.

“We have an annual landlord meeting — and we’ve held three with the initial layout of this program — but with that comes a communication line that I like to keep open,” VanAusdall said. “If a property owner has a question about anything related to their property, like a fall hazard, a GFI outlet or placement of a smoke detector, let’s talk about it. If they’re confused, I want them to fully understand it.”

Dunkelberger added, “First and foremost: Make sure your properties are registered. They can reach out directly to me to make sure that it’s handled and it will be handled within a day or two. Then after that, when you receive a notice to schedule an inspection just make sure that it’s scheduled. But making sure registration is up to date is how we begin this process.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com