Arrested? Call (888) 632-5650 Now for a Free Iowa Criminal Defense Consultation. No Obligation!

What if a single criminal charge could get you evicted from your apartment—no questions asked? That may be happening to law violating tenants in Cedar Rapids now that the City Council has voted to adopt such a change to the housing code. Now, landlords may be required to evict criminal violators or face penalties and potentially lose their ability to lease.

This seems to be an extreme measure, though the City claims it is only an effort at reducing crime. Two local groups including the Landlords of Linn County and the Flood Impacted Landlords, have voiced their opposition to the crime free addendum, though it isn’t clear if the City Council is willing to listen.

The Daily Iowan posted their own editorial speaking out against the mandatory measure as well stating, “The DI Editorial Board feels that such an addendum could be a valuable tool for landlords in evicting problematic tenants, but any program in place should be voluntary.”

What the Editorial Board and the landlords in the area want is the City Council to give them the power to evict for criminal convictions but to not mandate they do so—giving landlords more discretion. Because, like one University student says, “Getting evicted, no questions asked, for committing a crime seems heartless.”

Rules have long been in place like this for public housing residents but to kick someone out of their home for a law violation certainly won’t lead that particular person to lead a crime free life. In addition, because the Council didn’t stipulate which crimes are worthy of eviction, it isn’t clear just how strict they will be, perhaps evicting people even for minor misdemeanor convictions.

Landlords want the option of evicting problem tenants but don’t want to be required to put people out on the streets. With a criminal conviction, it’s hard enough to find a place to live in the first place.

A criminal record is a hard reputation to live down, whether you are looking for an apartment or a job. Sad to say but many employers and landlords judge you when they see you have made mistakes of a criminal nature.

The Cedar Rapids may think they are doing their part to prevent crime or keep rental properties safe for law abiding citizens, they are only serving to further alienate a significant portion of the population and certainly aren’t preventing those evictees from committing further criminal actions.

If you’re facing criminal charges and want to avoid a conviction on your record, you need to speak with a defense lawyer in Iowa. Contact us today and we can give you a free consultation on your case.

No related posts.