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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Court throws out Cedar Rapids Crime-Free Lease
Cedar Rapids' requirement that landlords end the leases of renters who commit crimes has been thrown out in court.
"All portions of Cedar Rapids City Code Chapter 29 which reference or implement the 'Crime Free Lease Addendum' are void and unenforceable," District Court Judge Nancy Baumgartner wrote in a ruling issued Friday.
Baumgartner's ruling came in a suit filed a year ago by Landlords of Linn County. The group's members said the city's addendum was vaguely worded, making it impossible to apply fairly.
The crime-free provision also gave landlords just cause to end the leases of renters for any criminal activity by guests or "other persons affiliated with the resident."
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Tim Conklin holds up the regulations for landlords in the city of Cedar Rapids outside St. Andrews on Council, an apartment complex he manages on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Conklin is the owner of Preferred Property Management, which manages 1700 units in the Cedar Rapids metro area and personally owns 21 rental units. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
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