Evictions/Rent Assistance Information
For more general information about evictions, click here.
Iowa Legal Aid now has eviction help desks in six counties. Click here to learn more.
What If I Can’t Pay My Rent?
If you are unable to pay your rent, some agencies currently have rental assistance funds available. Do NOT wait. It is important to seek help as soon as possible.
- If you live in Polk County, IMPACT Community Action Partnership may have assistance available at the courthouse when you are there for an eviction hearing.
- Wherever you live in the state, your county's General Assistance may have rental assistance funds available.
- To learn about other rent assistance programs in your area, call 211 or visit Houseiowa.org.
- You CANNOT be removed from your home until you have the opportunity to speak to a judge and the court issues an eviction order. If your landlord seeks to remove you from your home without a court order, call the police. If possible, contact an attorney immediately.
What If I Am Being Evicted?
• You may have defenses. Issues in landlord-tenant law can be complicated, so you may want to speak to an attorney about your rights. It is best to reach out as soon as you get an eviction notice. People who cannot afford an attorney may be eligible for services from Iowa Legal Aid. To find out if you are eligible visit iowalegalaid.org or call 1-800-532-1275. To learn more about the eviction process read “Evictions 101.” https://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/evictions-101
• It is important to go to your hearing. Often if you do not appear at the hearing the judge will enter an eviction against you even if you had a defense. You may also have the opportunity to negotiate with your landlord at the courthouse.
• Iowa Legal Aid has an eviction help desk at the courthouses in Polk, Linn, Black Hawk, Johnson, Scott, and Pottawattamie counties. If you live in one of these counties, you may be able to meet with an attorney and apply for rent assistance at the courthouse prior to your hearing. To learn about how to get assistance at one of our help desks click here.
Iowa Legal Aid Provides Legal 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 iowalegalaid.org
- If Iowa Legal Aid cannot help, 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.
*As you read this information, remember this article is not a substitute for legal advice.