The Rental Property Lien Exemption program is designed to assist rental property owners from having liens placed against their property due to failure by the tenant to pay utility bills they may be responsible for under their rental/lease agreement.

Landlords have a 60 calendar day window after the City is notified the tenant has started water service with Iowa American Water Company to provide written notice to the City under State of Iowa Code 384.84(4)(e). Participation in the program protects property owners from having unpaid charges for sewer, clean water and/or garbage utility fees assessed against their rental property while a tenant occupies the property.  The program does not apply to charges for repairs related to service of sewer systems, stormwater drainage systems, sewer treatment and solid waste disposal if repair charges become delinquent.

Use the process below to register for the program.

• Sign-up to find out when and under what name the tenant has signed up for water service. E-mail [email protected], subject Tenant Lookup, request access to the tenant lookup tool, provide your (property owner) name, and a list of rental property maintained. Revenue will process the request and notify when the property owner when an account has been created to use Current Tenant Lookup tool.
• Once it is known water service has been started and by whom, and before the 60 calendar day window from water service startup, submit a request for Rental Lien Exemption for the property.  

Under the program, property owners are responsible to report changes in rental property ownership during a rental/lease contract period. Use this form to submit information regarding change in ownership of a residential rental property. Notice must be submitted within 30 days of completing changes in ownership.

Questions regarding this program should be directed to the City of Davenport’s Revenue Department at 563.326.7707.

Landlords can notify the City of Davenport about a tenant occupied residential rental property to exempt the property from lien for delinquent sewer, clean water and garbage fees, if the city is notified within 60 calendar days from the date that the tenant started water service with Iowa American Water.

If a landlord wishes not to have charges for sewer, clean water or garbage fees levied against their rental property while a tenant occupies the property, State of Iowa code 384.84(4)(e) states the landlord must send a written notice to the City with required information. The City of Davenport has created a website which will allow landlords to submit the required information directly to the City.  A new form must be submitted for each new tenant.

Click here to submit a form to participate in the Rental Property Lien Exemption Program.

Click here to submit a form notifying the City of Davenport of a change in ownership of a residential rental property. This form must be completed within thirty (30) days of the completion of the change of ownership.

This program does not apply to charges for repairs related to a service of sewer systems, storm water drainage systems, sewer treatment and solid waste disposal if the repair charges become delinquent.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please feel free to contact us directly at 563-326-7707.