The Newton City Council has renewed its contract with Iowa Inspections, LLC for rental inspections, despite some pushback from landlords in the area who feel the fees are too high. The five-year contract will see fees increase slightly over the years. Iowa Inspections is a certified and experienced inspection firm serving many cities in Central Iowa.
Local landlord Fred Rhodes spoke out against the rental inspection program, citing concerns about increased costs being passed on to tenants. He suggested a more cost-effective approach that would keep money in the community and benefit residents. However, city officials explained that they had put out a request for quote and only received responses from outside firms.
Council member Mark Hallam expressed interest in Rhodes’ suggestions but felt it was too late to make changes as the current contract was set to expire. City staff noted that the majority of rental property owners in Newton pass their inspections on the first try, demonstrating compliance with the city’s codes.
Overall, the decision to renew the contract with Iowa Inspections was met with mixed reactions from the community. Some landlords feel that the fees are excessive, while others believe the current system is effective. Moving forward, the city will continue to work with Iowa Inspections to ensure that rental properties are up to code and safe for tenants.
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