Orange City, Iowa — Lawyers for tenants and landlords in Orange City claim city-required inspections of rental properties every five years violate tenants’ rights. They argued before the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday that mandatory checks are unrestricted searches and that could lead to police intervention if investigators report activity they think is suspicious. Attorney Zachary Clausen represented the city and argued that the inspections helped address health and safety risks. He added that police had not been involved in the incident in the past.

The city is required to notify homeowners 15 days before the inspection, and if the inspector arrives and is not allowed in, they can obtain an administrative search warrant. John Wrench, an attorney for tenants and landlords, said the loophole violates the Iowa Constitution, which protects against “unsuspecting house searches.”

Wrench argued that mandatory inspections could give the city ample basis to obtain a search warrant.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the statement in support of tenants and landlords. They argue that inspections and potential searches disproportionately affect people from low-income or minority backgrounds who are more likely to rent.