Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all residential rental properties/units in Winterset need to be registered and inspected on a regular basis.  

The Administrative Policy defines rent as "Any form of payment, including but not limited to cash, services, or other valuable considerations, provided as a condition of occupying a dwelling not owned by the occupant."

There is a $10 property registration fee that is yearly.  The inspection fees are $50 per building and $15 per unit.  

Properties that are operating as a rental unit but fail to register with the City shall be subject to a municipal infraction as indicated under the Winterset Municipal Code Section 4.1713.  This may also result in an order to vacate the property.

The Administrative Policy defines it as, “Any structure that includes a dwelling unit that is being held out or offered for rent or is currently being let for rent and occupied by a person who is not the owner of the premises. .” Basically, if any portion of a home is being rented out (for cash or other services), then it is a rental property and needs to be registered. 

The City understands that it will take time for all rental properties to register and be inspected.   There are over 400 properties in town that have been deemed as rental properties.  

Yes.  Each property requires a registration form and payment of the registration fee; however, a property with multiple units will only need one registration form. For example, an apartment building with four units would still only need a single registration form. Another example would be a landlord who owns four single-family rental homes, which would all need their own registration form.

Registration fees will be paid to the City of Winterset. The registration fee is $10 per property per year and will accompany a registration form.  This fee is paid yearly.   Note: this is not the same as the inspection fee.

The standard schedule for the inspection of all rental properties shall be once every two (2) years.  As an incentive for compliant owners, defined as properties that pass the first inspection with no noted concerns from the inspector, shall require inspection in three (3) years in lieu of two (2).  If a property fails the initial inspection but passes the first re-inspection, it shall be moved to the standard inspection schedule (once every two (2) years).   Rental properties that require more than two (2) re-inspections before passing will need to be inspected every year until they pass on their first inspection, at which time they will move to the standard inspection schedule. 

Property owners are responsible for scheduling their inspections a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of their current RRC.  If the inspection is not scheduled and the RRC expiration date has passed, the property shall be subject to late fees and penalties.