As written, HSB 748 effectively caps the fee that associations and management companies can charge for a Certificate of Unpaid Dues & Assessments. Under this legislation, these fees would be transferred from individuals who request these certificates to all homeowners in the community through increased management fees, raising assessments on all homeowners in the community.

Imposing fee caps like that proposed in HSB 748 attempts to solve complex problems in oversimplified and ineffective ways. The bill does not take into account the actual work performed to create these certificates, and the liability that is assumed if there are errors in these certificates. Associations and management companies should be permitted to charge reasonable fees for this work and assess those fees on homeowners who request these certificates, instead of passing these costs onto all homeowners in the community regardless of their involvement.

ACT NOW. Urge the House Ways & Means Committee to OPPOSE House Study Bill 784 when they meet on March 11 and protect Iowa’s community associations. 

Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of Iowa’s community associations.

Community Associations Institute Government and Public Affairs Team

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