Des Moines does not have a standalone tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenant protections come from Iowa Code 562A.36 retaliation rules and federal Fair Housing Act standards prohibiting harassment based on protected class.
Unlike Los Angeles or Seattle, Des Moines has not adopted a dedicated Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance. Tenant protections instead derive from Iowa Code 562A.36, which bars retaliation against tenants who complain to code enforcement, organize tenants, or exercise URLTA rights, and from the federal Fair Housing Act, which forbids harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission accepts complaints involving protected-class harassment. Tenants experiencing intimidation tactics like illegal lockouts or utility shutoffs can also pursue URLTA self-help and damages remedies in small claims court.
Retaliatory rent increases, illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, or protected-class harassment can result in URLTA damages, fair-housing penalties, and Commission orders against the landlord.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines does not impose a just-cause eviction standard. Under the Iowa URLTA, Iowa Code Ch. 562A, landlords may end month-to-month tenancies with 30 days ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines amended its Civil and Human Rights Code to bar housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher...
See how Des Moines's tenant anti-harassment rules stack up against other locations.
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