Iowa

"This month, I couldn't pay my rent on time.  I just got a call from my landlord who said I have 3 days to get out but I have nowhere else to go.  What can I do?"

A tenant who does not pay rent on time may get a notice from the landlord.  Iowa law requires:

• The notice must be in writing.
• The notice has to say the lease will end if rent is not paid within 3 days.
• The notice has to be properly served to you.
• This 3-day period gives you a "right to cure" by paying the rent within those 3 days.
• If you pay the full amount of rent in 3 days, the landlord cannot legally evict you.

Note:

If you cannot pay the rent within 3 days, you do not have to move out right away.  The landlord must first file an eviction action in court.  Only a judge can lawfully evict a tenant.

• Iowa Legal Aid provides help to low-income Iowans. 
  • To apply for help from Iowa Legal Aid:
  • call 800-532-1275., Iowans age 60 and over, call 800-992-8161
  • OR
  • apply online at www.iowalegalaid.org
   

  If Iowa Legal Aid cannot help, you can look for an attorney on “Find A Lawyer” on the Iowa State Bar Association website – iowabar.org.   A private attorney there can talk with you for a fee of $25 for 30 minutes of legal advice.