Rental Counseling
& Education
We're here to help you
be a successful renter!
You can't play the game if you don't know the rules. That's why at HOME, Inc. we focus heavily on our housing counseling and education to make sure our clients feel supported and confident so they can make informed decisions when renting.
We offer FREE, confidential 1-on-1 counseling to help you with all your renting needs. We can help you find housing, establish/build your credit, understand your lease terms, handle maintenance and repair request, deal with pests, navigate terminations or evictions, and more.
While we cannot offer legal advice, we can help you understand your rights as a renter in Iowa.
Rental Counseling Can Include Things Like:
Finding housing that fits your needs and budget
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We can provide information, referrals, and connect you with housing that fits your specific situation
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Identifying and connecting you with assistance programs
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Assess future housing goals and create a step-by-step plan to help you achieve them
Reviewing basic information about your current financial situation
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Reviewing your finances and current credit report to assess your current financial situation
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Help you establish and build your credit
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Creating a plan and budget to meet your financial goals to maintain housing stability
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Regular meetings and check ins to support you as you work to meet your goals
Crisis-Oriented Counseling
Sometimes things happen that affect your housing, but we're here to help. If you are concerned or have been given notice that you might lose your housing, our Housing Counselors are here to help you assess your situation, make a plan, and guide you through the process. Our goal is to keep you stably housed and prevent homelessness
Education and guidance on many topics like:
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Understanding lease terms
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Security deposits
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Maintenance issues & repair requests
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Pests
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Move-in and move-out inspections
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Co-signing and co-signers
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Neighbor relations
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Notices
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Evictions
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And more!
Navigating fair housing issues
We can help you through the process of how to address fair housing issues like:
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Reasonable accommodations for disabilities
- Discrimination
- Different terms, fees, and criteria for applicants based on race, national origin, sex, religion, families with children, etc.
RENTWISE
A free class for tenants taught by a HUD Certified Housing Counselor covering the basics of landlord/tenant laws in Iowa. Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a renter. This is a 2 hour class with a Q/A at the end. Register below, call 515-650-1484, or email Logsdon.Pam@homeincdsm.org
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Workshop by request only. Workshop is for Property Managers, employed by a company, to learn about the rights and responsibilities in Iowa to properly take care of and manage properties. Workshop is taught by a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and can be held at your location or held at our office (Limit of 12). Class is $25 per person.
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