Creston council makes movement toward rental inspections

In an effort to improve condition of rental units in Creston, city council is considering making changes to Chapter 147 of the city code pertaining to rental housing regulatory and inspection program.

During its regular meeting March 1, council met with with Jason VanAusdall of Iowa Inspection for a second time. In January, Ausdall, who inspects the city’s commercial and industrial properties as a building inspector for Veenstra and Kimm, made a pitch to the council about the benefits of enforcing its code and how to do it. On his second visit, Ausdall provided samples of rental inspection ordinances from the cities of Mitchellville and Chariton, where he says the program works.

VanAusdall reiterated the cost of rental inspection enforcement provided by Iowa Inspection does not fall on the taxpayers. In January he told the council his company collects $75 per rental unit inspection and $25 for each additional unit under the same roof. For example, a duplex rental inspection would cost $100, a quad, $150. The city should charge a fee for clerical work associated with the program.

At last week’s meeting with the council, VanAusdall said they need to determine how often a rental would be inspected. Some cities send out inspectors every two or three years. He suggested rewarding good landlords with a “carrot,” such as adding an additional year they could forgo an inspection should their property clear pass without incident. Alternately, those who do not pass inspection would require, at minimum, an annual inspection until the property could be brought up to code, in which the inspector would work with the property owner on a plan as to the best way to become compliant.

For properties with issues, a phased improvement plan would be set up, most often within 60 days. The inspection fee is paid for every inspection so if follow-up inspections are needed, the property owner pays for every one of them.

VanAusdall and the city plan on hosting landlord meetings to inform them of changes to the city’s code and how it will affect them.

The council didn’t take any formal action but settled on a three year inspection cycle with an incentive option. The council will not be inspecting college dorms, but is interested in inspecting local motels and short-term rentals.

Mayor Gabe Carroll suggested having the ordinance in place by January 1, as the rules are “not new.”

To read Chapter 147 of Creston’s city code, rental housing regulatory and inspection program, visit https://tinyurl.com/chapter147. Creston City Council meets 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month on the second floor of the Restored Creston Depot.