Bill

Bill > HF377


IA HF377

IA HF377
A bill for an act concerning radon testing in rental properties.(See HF 700.)


summary

Introduced
02/13/2025
In Committee
02/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill concerns radon testing of rental properties. The bill provides that a tenant may conduct a radon test or hire a person certified in accordance with Code chapter 136B to conduct a radon test. The tenant shall notify the landlord of a test result equal to or greater than four picocuries per liter, which is the United States environmental protection agency’s action level for radon. The landlord may have a confirmatory radon test conducted by a certified person and must notify the tenant of those results. If a subsequent test result is equal to or greater than four picocuries per liter, or if the landlord chooses not to have a subsequent test conducted by a certified person, the landlord shall have a radon mitigation system installed. Once a radon mitigation system has been installed in accordance with Code chapter 136B, the rental property shall be retested and the new results shall be given to the tenant within 90 days of the original notice. The bill provides that if the landlord fails to have a radon mitigation system installed or if a radon mitigation system is installed and radon test results remain equal to or greater than four picocuries per liter, the tenant may terminate the lease and the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and the rental deposit and shall not impose any penalties against the tenant. The tenant shall provide written notice to the landlord of intent to terminate the lease effective immediately or on a date agreed to by the tenant and landlord to allow alternative housing to be obtained by the tenant. The bill defines “radon mitigation system” to mean a system designed to mitigate the presence of radon in a building installed by a person certified in accordance with Code chapter 136B.

AI Summary

This bill addresses radon testing requirements for rental properties in Iowa, introducing new provisions to protect tenants from high radon levels. The bill allows tenants to conduct or hire a certified professional to perform a radon test in their rental unit. If test results show radon levels at or above four picocuries per liter (the Environmental Protection Agency's action level for potential health risks), the tenant must notify the landlord in writing. The landlord can then conduct a confirmatory test and, if the high radon levels are confirmed or the landlord chooses not to test, must install a radon mitigation system by a certified professional. If the landlord fails to install a mitigation system within 90 days or if subsequent tests still show elevated radon levels, the tenant has the right to terminate the lease without penalty. The landlord must return all prepaid rent and the rental deposit. A radon mitigation system is defined as a specialized system designed to reduce radon levels in a building, installed by a certified professional. This legislation aims to ensure tenant safety by providing a clear process for addressing dangerous radon concentrations in rental properties.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 700. (on 02/28/2025)

bill text


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