Retaliatory conduct prohibited

1. Except as provided in this section, a landlord shall not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession or by failing to renew a rental agreement after any of the following: a. The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the manufactured home community or mobile home park materially affecting health and safety. For this subsection to apply, a complaint filed with a governmental body must be in good faith. b. The tenant has complained to the landlord of a violation under section 562B.16. c. The tenant has organized or become a member of a tenant’s union or similar organization. d. For exercising any of the rights and remedies pursuant to this chapter or chapter 216. 2. If the landlord acts in violation of subsection 1 of this section, the tenant is entitled to the remedies provided in section 562B.24 and has a defense in an action for possession. In an action by or against the tenant, evidence of a complaint within one year prior to the alleged act of retaliation creates a presumption that the landlord’s conduct was in retaliation. The presumption does not arise if the tenant made the complaint after notice of termination of the rental agreement. For the purpose of this subsection, “presumption” means that the trier of fact must find the existence of the fact presumed unless and until evidence is introduced which would support a finding of its nonexistence. 3. Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2 of this section, a landlord may bring an action for possession if either of the following occurs: a. The violation of the applicable building or housing code was caused primarily by lack of reasonable care by the tenant or other person in the household or upon the premises with the tenant’s consent. b. The tenant is in default of rent three days after rent is due. The maintenance of the action does not release the landlord from liability under section 562B.22, subsection 2.