481-69.21 Occupancy Agreement

There are rules related to the program’s occupancy agreement in 481-69.21 and 231C.5. In Chapter 69.21, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) requires the following:

• The occupancy agreement must be in 12-point font (or larger).
• Written in plain language, using commonly understood terms. This means that the tenant or their legal representative should be able to easily understand the agreement.
• Include the following:
  • The telephone number for filing a complaint with the department (877) 686-0027.
  • The telephone number for the office of the long-term care ombudsman (515) 725-3308 or (866) 236-1430.
  • The telephone number for reporting dependent adult abuse (DIAL Complaint number indicated above).
  • A copy of the program’s statement on tenants’ rights.
  • A statement that the tenant landlord law applies to assisted living programs.
  • A statement providing at least 90-days advance notice of any planned program cessation, except in cases of emergencies.  

Additionally, the agreement must be reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect changes in services or financial arrangements. Copies of the agreement shall be provided to the tenant or their legal representative and maintained by the program. A blank copy of the agreement shall be available for review from the general public upon request. Finally, any marketing materials shall include a statement that a copy of the occupancy agreement is available to everyone upon request.

This rule is periodically cited for various reasons including that the agreement did not include the appropriate contact information or if the program did not have a copy of specific tenant’s signed agreements.