Rental Housing Inspection Program

In an effort to ensure the provision of safe and sanitary rental housing for its residents, the City of Oskaloosa has adopted a Rental Housing Inspection Program. The program is administered by the Development Services Department and its contractor. Important information about the program is provided below.

Administrative Policy

The Rental Housing Program Administrative Policy (PDF) contains information on program establishment and administrative procedures for the program. The policy also includes all applicable program forms including the inspection checklist, program registration form, inspection form, tenant complaint form, and owner appeal form.

Registration

Any housing unit which is rented (or being offered for rent) within Oskaloosa’s city limits must be registered with the City. Landlords must register new properties within 30 days of acquisition or within 30 days of putting a property out into the rental market. The registration fee is $15 per housing unit per year. Unregistered rental properties face a $50/day late fee up to a maximum of $500 per property.

The Rental Housing Registration Form (PDF) must be submitted in-person or by mail to the Development Services Department at Oskaloosa City Hall, 220 S. Market Street.

Inspection Checklist

At the time of registration, landlords must verify that their properties meet the requirements outlined in the Rental Housing Inspection Checklist (PDF). If there are questions about applicability of the checklist, contact the Development Services Department.

Inspection Process

The baseline schedule for the inspection of all rental properties shall be once every three (3) years. As a benefit to compliant landlords, properties that pass the first inspection, with no noted concerns from the inspector, will not need to be inspected for another four years. Rental properties that require two or more inspections (three or more during the first three-year cycle) to pass and that receive multiple noted concerns from the inspector will need to be inspected every year until they pass on their first inspection. Those rental properties will then move to the standard inspection cycle.

City staff will contact landlords via mail with a notice to schedule the inspection of their rental properties. When landlords receive their notice, they will need to contact the contracted Rental Inspector. Iowa Inspections LLC is the city’s designated inspector and can be reached at or by phone at 515-587-0065.

An inspection fee is charged to the owner or owner's representative, in addition to the registration fee.  Inspection fees are paid to the inspector directly at the time the inspection is conducted. The inspection fee is $100 for the first unit plus $40 for each additional unit in the rental property. This fee is also charged for each required re-inspection.

Documents and Resources