Renting your property to refugees is one way to help your community and welcome new arrivals to Iowa. By partnering with LSI Immigrant and Refugee Community Services to rent your property, you are helping individuals and families who are building new lives.
When refugees arrive in the United States, LSI ensures they have legal status and work authorization. We work closely with U.S. government partners to coordinate the placement of individuals and families who have been invited to live here.
As a landlord to refugees, you can receive:
- Rental assistance from a resettlement agency
- A tenant with access to case management support and interpretation services
- A tenant with a strong desire to create a home and a future
- A tenant who received cultural orientation on maintaining an apartment, leases, and tenant rights and responsibilities
Q: What is it like working with LSI as a landlord to newly arrived refugees?
A: LSI typically receives 2-4 weeks notice of a family’s arrival. Prior to arrival, LSI will pay the security deposit, the first month’s rent, and any pro-rated rent on the family’s behalf. LSI staff obtain keys to the unit a week prior to the family’s arrival in order to furnish the unit. On the day of the family’s arrival, LSI staff reviews and has the family sign the lease agreement.
Q: How does LSI prepare the family?
A: LSI will provide interpretation for services it provides, including helping the families understand the terms of their lease and how to make rent and utility payments. Cultural orientation, which includes the topic of housing and landlord/tenant rights, will also be provided for all families LSI serves.
Q: Who signs the lease?
A: Leases are signed by refugees when they arrive. LSI does not co-sign leases. It is the family’s responsibility to abide by the terms of their lease for the duration of the lease and extensions.
Q: Who pays the deposit and rent?
A: LSI pays the security deposit, monthly rent, and utilities on the family’s behalf for up to one year. Most individuals and families start working within their first 3-6 months and begin paying the rent and utilities on their own.
Q: We conduct background and credit checks on all prospective tenants. How will that work for refugees?
A: The U.S. government conducts extensive federal background checks on refugees. They are checked by eight federal agencies prior to admission to the United States. LSI staff work with them to secure their social security cards upon arrival.
Q: What if I need an interpreter to communicate with tenants?
A: The Iowa International Center offers a free interpretation hotline for landlords and non-English speaking tenants in Iowa. This service can be used for rent and lease negotiations, maintenance and repairs, and lease terminations, for example. Both parties must be present.
Call 515.282.8269 Ext. 5
Q: As a landlord, what else should I know?
A: We share the following checklist with landlords who are renting to refugees. By walking through the checklist with your potential renter, you can help begin the landlord-renter relationship on a positive note.
Does the refugee have:
☐ A resettlement agency case manager?
☐ Documentation of legal residency and work authorization?
Does the refugee understand:
☐ Who to call in an emergency?
☐ How to pay rent?
☐ Where to pay rent?
☐ How to use appliances?
☐ How to be a good neighbor?