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Iowa Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: Can a landlord make the tenant stain an pre-existing deck prior to owning the a trailer and or Force owned trailer

Got approved to be in the trailer court purchased a trailer on a lot the lot already had a pre-existing deck and swing set and wants to do a walk-through of owned property to demand Force improvements is that allowed if they don't own it or are they allowed also to make me pay to remove and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

In general, a landlord cannot force a tenant to make improvements or modifications to a property that the tenant owns, such as a trailer. If you purchased the trailer and it is your property, the landlord should not have the right to demand that you stain a pre-existing deck or make other changes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: If someone owns property that they live on. And rent out part of the property to a friend that live in a RV. Agrees to

Hundreds of dollars to live in. Now the landlord is saying I can't have my girlfriend at my RV cause she doesn't want her on the property. Can they tell you no and or have her arrested if she doesn't want her on the property

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 2, 2024

In Iowa, the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants are typically governed by state law and the terms of the lease agreement. Generally, landlords have the authority to establish rules and restrictions for the use of their property, and tenants are expected to abide by these rules as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: My nephew needed $575 deposit to get an apt so my mom wrote him a check. Now he has moved and they won't give him the mo

money back. Who is suppose to file the small claims? Him because it was for his apt or her because it was her check

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 27, 2023

In this situation involving a $575 deposit for an apartment, where your nephew has moved and is unable to retrieve the money, the appropriate party to file a small claims case would typically be your nephew. Since the deposit was intended for his apartment, he is the aggrieved party seeking the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: Can my landlord raise the rent less than 30 days prior to the rent being due?

Letter states rent will increase 8/1/23. Currently on month-to month basis.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 14, 2023

It depends upon the terms of your lease agreement. Some lease agreements give the landlord the right to increase the amount of rent due after the initial term. Some provide a set period of prior notice to the tenant, and some don't. Some allow the tenant to holdover month-to-month on the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: This apartment are saying I owe them money and I don’t live there and didn’t move in. And told them 90 days before.

I was talking to people at this apartment and they sent me sometime to sign and I didn’t understand what I was signing but now they say it was a lease and I didn’t move in and I don’t live there and I told them multiple times I’m not moving and they say I owe them money what do I do

Stephen Murray
Stephen Murray
answered on Oct 18, 2024

Here’s what you can do in this situation:

First, it’s important to get a copy of whatever document they claim you signed. If they’re saying it’s a lease, you need to see exactly what’s in it and whether it includes any terms that bind you to paying rent, even if you never moved...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Employment Discrimination and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: Can employer request deug test after reporting claims of harassment

I work for property management company and I also rent from them. I was injured a couple weeks ago. But I have been reporting being harassed while in my apartment. I believe I am being constructively dishcharged. I reported again being harassed all night and didn’t not go to work. I am being... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 12, 2024

It sounds like you're in a very challenging and stressful situation. Generally, an employer can request a drug test, but there are specific conditions that need to be met, such as reasonable suspicion, policies outlined in your employment agreement, or post-accident procedures. If the request... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: If you was fired from a job can your employer or x employer call your landlord just to tell them you was fired?

They called and told landlord they fired you right after you was fired ..and they did not have any arrangement with one another about letting one another know anything about employment or living arrangement..

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Sep 22, 2021

This kind of problem is under laws that are specific to each state, and different. This could be an invasion of your privacy or public disclosure of confidential facts. You should consult with a local employment law attorney about this.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Iowa on
Q: My Landlord filed bankruptcy in Iowa . The sheriff is holding an auction. I would like to know how much time I have?

I was purchasing the home from my landlord on contract I’m fine with losing that money it’s not worth it especially since he’s filing bankruptcy. The auction is coming up soon. I would like to know how much time I have (if any) after the auction?

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Oct 16, 2019

Probably 30 days after sale, give it take.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: I paid my rent in full on May 1 that was posted online. The 7th there was a note posted on my door stating I owed more.

My question is can my landlord add to my rent after the fact and only give me 3 days to pay more rent?

Erik Steven Fisk
Erik Steven Fisk
answered on May 9, 2018

If you're in St. Paul, you'll need to ask in Minnesota - because that would be governed by MN law, not IA law.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: Off duty cop questioned my 17yr said she was smoking in house can they do that??

They asked her about smoking weed and got her to give them a pipe. She did not smoke in the house. But they scared her into giving information. Now they are trying to evict us saying she smoked in the house and had drugs in the house.

Erik Steven Fisk
Erik Steven Fisk
answered on May 8, 2018

It depends on so many other things that aren't written in your question.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: How do I find out if I have a qualified personal injury to tenant on property resulting in broken and no income fortenat

I live on 2nd story of 6plex. To get to the parking lot there's a cement ramp to use but in obvious visual poor maintenance for years. Ive mentioned this while living here. Many of their other properties have bad concrete walkways/stairs. I work with special population individuals that have... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

A picture is worth a thousand words. I say that quite often but mostly in the area of premise liability cases where a defect has said to cause an injury and the injured person calls us asking if we will take their case. We need to see the condition that you believe is the defect. And then we need... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: Can a company go against doctor order for the air conditioner

I have a dr order for the air conditioner to be turned on today and to keep it cooler in here I am oxygen dependent and have copd I have 2 other roommates at the house it is staffed by a company 24/7 the company that I am under here said that the air conditioner will not be turned on today and to... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 21, 2017

Depends on the law in your state regarding group homes and the agreement with whoever placed you there. I would go to the agency that placed you with them.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: I am considering a commercial real estate lease in Iowa. The Landlord's attorney will not put just my business name.

I have an LLC, but they insist I also need to be named a Leasee individually. The purpose of the LLC is to maintain separation from me individually, so I don't want to be on the Lease as an individual, just the LLC. Is this legal?

Glenn B. Manishin
Glenn B. Manishin
answered on Apr 20, 2017

Unless Iowa-specific state statutes or court decisions say otherwise, a landlord or other creditor is entitled to ask for a personal guarantee from a corporation's principals. You are also entitled to say no.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Iowa on
Q: I have lived in my current residents since 2003 was bought by new owner says get rid of dog or be evicted is this possib

Its a trailer court the was just bought by new company says get rid of dog had for years or be evicted from the trailer court

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Nov 7, 2016

Do you have a lease? What does the lease say regarding pets? And, is this dog a "support animal"? If you have a letter or prescription from either your doctor or a therapist that this animal is necessary for emotional support, then I don't think they can legally make you move.

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