Iowa House Bill HF2432

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/24
• Refer: 2/12/24

Caption

A bill for an act authorizing the attorney general to enforce violations of the manufactured home communities or mobile home parks residential landlord and tenant Act.

Impact

The main impact of HF2432 is the introduction of state-level enforcement capabilities regarding violations of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act specifically tailored for manufactured and mobile home parks. This aligns with consumer protection goals by classifying repeated violations as unlawful practices under Iowa code. With this change, affected tenants would potentially gain access to a variety of remedies, including injunctive relief, which can address and mitigate ongoing issues. Furthermore, violators may face civil penalties up to $40,000, which acts as a deterrent against unlawful practices.

Summary

House File 2432, also referred to as HF2432, aims to empower the Attorney General of Iowa to investigate and enforce violations related to the Manufactured Home Communities or Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. This bill is intended to address issues of accountability within the manufactured home community sector, ensuring that tenants have recourse against landlords who may violate their rights under existing housing laws. By enabling the Attorney General to act, the bill seeks to improve enforcement mechanisms that protect residents living in manufactured home communities.

Contention

While HF2432 presents a more robust enforcement framework for tenant rights, discussions may arise regarding the balance of power between landlords and tenants. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about the implications for small-scale landlords operating within the mobile home sector, questioning whether the penalties and enforcement measures are fair and proportionate. There could also be debates surrounding the efficacy of such enforcement measures in practice, including how they would be implemented and the potential administrative burden on the Attorney General's office.