Des Moines, IA Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)
Key Facts
- Owner notice required first
- 7 days to correct
- City notice after that
- another 7 days
- Enforcing office
- Neighborhood Development Division
- Emergency situations
- waiting periods waived
- Uncorrected result
- rental license suspension
Summary
Des Moines tenants must notify the owner in writing and give seven days to fix the problem before the city's rental housing division will open a complaint file.
Tenants may submit complaints about alleged violations of this chapter to the division only after written notice has been given to the owner or authorized management agent and the owner has failed to correct the complaint within seven days of such notice. Upon the division's receipt of the complaint and confirmation that the tenant provided opportunity for the owner to make correction within seven days and the correction has not been made, the division shall provide notice of the complaint to the owner or authorized management agent.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Municipal Code § 60-36, a tenant can't go straight to the city. The tenant must first give the owner or authorized management agent written notice of the alleged violation and wait seven days for a fix. Only after that window closes without correction can the tenant file with the Neighborhood Development Division. The division then verifies the seven-day notice was given, sends the owner a formal notice of complaint with a further seven days to correct or show the violation doesn't exist, and can schedule an inspection if the problem persists. A confirmed violation triggers a standard § 60-33 notice of violation, and an uncorrected violation can lead to suspension of the property's rental business license. The administrator can waive the waiting periods for anything deemed an emergency.
Violations & Fines
Confirmed violations follow the § 60-33 notice-of-violation process; failure to correct can suspend the rental business license and lead to a municipal infraction with civil penalties under § 1-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call the city directly about a rental problem?
What if it's an emergency, like no heat?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
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