ARTICLE

Court throws out Cedar Rapids Crime-Free Lease

Landlords say city's law was vague, hard to apply fairly

Tim Conklin holds up the regulations for landlords in the city of Cedar Rapids outside St. Andrews on Council, an apartment complex he manages on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Conklin is the owner of Preferred Property Management, which manages 1700 units in the Cedar Rapids metro area and personally owns 21 rental units. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Tim Conklin holds up the regulations for landlords in the city of Cedar Rapids outside St. Andrews on Council, an apartment complex he manages on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Conklin is the owner of Preferred Property Management, which manages 1700 units in the Cedar Rapids metro area and personally owns 21 rental units. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Steve Gravelle

Cedar Rapids' requirement that landlords end the leases of renters who commit crimes has been thrown out in court.

"All portions of Cedar Rapids City Code Chapter 29 which reference or implement the 'Crime Free Lease Addendum' are void and unenforceable," District Court Judge Nancy Baumgartner wrote in a ruling issued Friday.

Baumgartner's ruling came in a suit filed a year ago by Landlords of Linn County. The group's members said the city's addendum was vaguely worded, making it impossible to apply fairly.

The crime-free provision also gave landlords just cause to end the leases  of renters for any criminal activity by guests or "other persons affiliated with the resident."

[HTML1]

Steve Gravelle

Give us feedback

We value your trust and work hard to provide fair, accurate coverage. If you have found an error or omission in our reporting, tell us here.

Or if you have a story idea we should look into? Tell us here.

WHAT TO READ NEXT ...

Time Machine: Cedar Rapids cafe became gathering spot for artists in 1920s

Opportunity Zones, one year later

Hickenlooper: 'It's time to end this crisis of division'

Marion library makes most of cramped quarters but seeks room to grow

Loebsack's retirement leaves 2nd District race wide open

TOP STORIES FROM THE GAZETTE

Zach Johnson's relatable moment at Masters draws laughs from pros and fans

Marion library won't relocate to strip mall site

Female officer says West Union ousted her after sexual harassment complaints

One more step to #EndFGM

Lawmakers, let Iowans vote

Trending