Deadline for Landlord Licensing and Rental Property Registration is approaching in Cedar Rapids

Letter to the Editor - The Gazette

There was an article in The Gazette on the Landlord Licensing process in Cedar Rapids. The letter was published in the Thursday, October 21, 2010 edition of the paper.

http://thegazette.com/2010/10/20/landlord-licensing-process-poorly-run/

The new Chapter 29 in Cedar Rapids requires all property owners involved in rental activity of residential properties to get a local license from the City and register all properties within the City of Cedar Rapids that are being used for rental activity. The new registration and licensing requirements in Cedar Rapids should be completed by the end of October, 2010.

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. does hold a Landlord License to Lease, Rent and Manage properties under Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code in the City of Cedar Rapids. Previously property owners were not required to be licensed. We can lease, rent and manage your property under our license, if you desire to seek outside management services for your rental houses and apartments. Registration fees are required.

If you have questions about Chapter 29 of the local municipal code, please contact the City or you can talk to us at Tommy Tucker Realty Co., regarding our property management services.

ttrco

Beware of the costs of an Enviornmental II study for Business Buyouts in Cedar Rapids

The challenges from the recovery from the Flood of 2008 continue in Cedar Rapids for property owners, including small business. Senator Rob Hogg was on WMT AM-600 and a flood recovery question was asked.

Second district congressional candidates spar over flood recovery - Radio Iowa
The two major party candidates who hope to represent Iowa's second congressional district are squaring off over flood recovery plans for Cedar Rapids. ...

Cedar Rapids renters to get flood assistance - Chicago Tribune
The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved creation of a disaster recovery assistance program for renters. The program is called the ...

We received the following e-mail today concerned about Business Buyouts in Cedar Rapids:

Please make sure to read the email sent this week from the Business Long Term Recovery Team at the Chamber!!

This message is for anyone who has or plans on participating in the “voluntary” commercial property buyout process.

Background

At the 11th hour participants in this program were informed that to complete the buyout process they might be responsible for the costs of an Environmental II study and any resulting costs of cleanup of their property if contamination was found. Some people have agreed to this requirement while others have objected and not signed their agreements.

Status of the Issue

Currently the City and State are trying to come up with a plan to either reimburse those who have already paid for the testing or pay for the testing if it has not been done yet. The issue of who will pay for the cleanup has not been resolved but is also being addressed.

Our Position

It is our position that the commercial property owner should not be responsible for either the testing or the cleanup. It will be nearly impossible to prove who is responsible for contamination on your property if it is found. The flood deposited lots of stuff from lots of different locations.

Our Recommendation

Our recommendation at this time is to NOT sign any buyout agreement that holds you responsible for Environmental II testing and any resulting cleanup if required. You can ask for an extension of your buyout agreement until this issue is resolved. Do NOT feel pressured to sign the agreement at this time! If you have already signed a buyout agreement rest assured that we will insist that any decisions made will be retroactive.

Gary Ficken
Doug Schumacher

It's important to slow down, when one is dealing with contacts, including buyout agreements. It continues to be a challenging period for many small businesses and property owners impacted by the Flood of 2008, let alone the recession and challenges over the past two plus years.

ttrco

Update on Housing, Licensing and Registration in the City of Cedar Rapids

We received notice from the City of Cedar Rapids that we have our License for the new Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code, which is requiring all owner / operator /landlord providers for rental housing in Cedar Rapids to obtain. Further, everyone needs to register or re-register all rental properties in the City by the end of the month. Registrations have been a requirement for some time, but the License with the City is new. Regardless, new paperwork is needed and the City's web site has the following message:

NEW LANDLORD LICENSE & REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
All Landlords must apply for a landlord license and re-register all of
their residential rental properties within the city limits by October
31st, 2010. All forms are found on this page. If you have any questions
feel free to give us a call at (319) 286-5197 or stop by our office.

We are working with our property owners to re-register all the properties we manage for various clients here in the City of Cedar Rapids. The process is pretty straight forward, but it does require time.

The Gazette had an article in the Thursday paper titled 'Few of C.R.'s landlords in compliance with new law.'

If you own rental property in the State of Iowa, you should likely check with the municipal authority to determine what your local licensing requirement are. The City of Marion has a different system, for example, than the City of Cedar Rapids.

In other business activity, meet with fellow Brokers with the Cedar Rapids Association of Realtors this morning. Good meeting and everyone was reminded about Chapter 29 in Cedar Rapids.

ttrco

Good Monday to you All on this October 4, 2010

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids ...

Looking forward to my Rotary Club meeting at Noon, where Terry Branstad (pictured on right), the Republican candidate for Governor will be speaking as today's program. Branstad served four terms previously in the 1980s and 90s. His Lt. Governor selection is State Senator Kim Reynolds (pictured to his left), who previously was a county treasurer, so she brings a strong amount of local government experience to the ticket.

ttrco

Looking forward to another Iowa vs. Penn State football game at Kinnick Stadium tonight

University of Iowa football is an event in Eastern Iowa. Of course, there are friends that would also suggest Ames (Iowa State), Cedar Rapids (Coe) and Cedar Falls (UNI).

It's Homecoming on Saturday night and the Hawkeyes look to take the Penn State series on the +1 side, as both teams open Big Ten play for 2010.

We invite you to contact us regarding your real estate needs this Autumn. You can visit our web site for more information.

ttrco

Horizons sponsoring Homebuying Education Workshop on November 20, 2010

We received a Press Release today from Horizons on Home Buying Education.

Home Buying

Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned veteran at homeownership, you will learn to determine how much house you can afford, how to find the right home for you, how to finance your home, and how to keep your home.

What: Headed For Home Program
When: Saturday, November 20th
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Horizons headquarters - 819 5th Street SE, Cedar Rapids
Cost: Free

Register for this event by:
Thursday November 18th by calling 319-398-3576.

This class qualifies as HUD approved Homebuyer Education

Register Now
319-398-3576
http://www.horizonscccs.org/

Help. Hope. Horizons.

ttrco

Welcome to the Month of October with awareness, education and empowerment!

We welcome in the month of October. This month is the 25Th year anniversary of celebrating awareness, education and empowerment of breast cancer. I pulled out a "pink" Breast Cancer Awareness strap to wear.

My grandmother, who was the spouse of our Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. founder, I.L. "Irv" Tucker was a breast cancer survivor, during her later years in life. We found out today that one of our customers is currently fighting breast cancer in California. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and all facing this challenge in life.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Celebrating 25 Years of ...
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection.www.nbcam.org/

• Free Information
• Events
• Downloads
• FAQ
• Download Sample Media Materials
• November/December - Neutropenia
• Promote NBCAM
• Breast Cancer Q & A

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 26 Years On, Where Do We Stand?‎ - CBS
Breast cancer continues to take a heavy toll on American women, 26 years after health advocates named October National Breast Awareness Month. ...

As we head into the fourth quarter of 2010, we celebrate Homecoming at Washington High School tonight and the University of Iowa's Homecoming game is Saturday night with the Big Ten opener with Penn State. Autumn is truly upon us and Big Ten Conference football kicks off this weekend at five campuses.

We have properties for rent and for sale in Cedar Rapids-Marion area and would invite you to contact us, if you have any questions or needs in real estate, property management or just want to find out more about our services. You can reach us at Tommy Tucker Realty Co. at 319.365.6956.

Vote Early or On Tuesday, November 2Nd.

• Need to Register to Vote in Iowa? pdf link
• Obtain an Absentee Ballot in the State of Iowa

ttrco