Source: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-to-delay-an-eviction-in-iowa.html
Timestamp: 2018-05-26 20:02:58
Document Index: 128512748

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 562', '§ 562', '§ 562', '§ 562', '§ 562', '§ 562']

How to Delay an Eviction in Iowa | Nolo.com
How to Delay an Eviction in Iowa
In Iowa, you can be evicted for a number of different reasons, including not paying rent or violating the lease. However, there may be a few things you can do to postpone the eviction, or perhaps even stop it altogether.
If your landlord decides to evict you, you will first receive a written notice that states the reason for the eviction and a time period to either comply with the notice, if possible, or move out of the rental unit. In Iowa, you could typically receive one of four types of eviction notices, depending on the reason for the eviction:
Three-day notice to pay rent: You will receive this notice if you have failed to pay rent when it was due. Under this notice, you will have three days to pay rent or move out of the rental unit (see Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27(2)).
Seven-day notice to remedy: You will receive this notice if you have violated the lease or rental agreement. Under this notice, you will have seven days to fix the violation or move out of the rental unit (see Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27(1)).
Three-day unconditional quit notice: You will receive this notice if you have assaulted anyone at the rental unit, possessed or used a firearm at the rental unit, or possessed drugs at the rental unit, among other things. Under this notice, you will have three days to move out of the rental unit (see Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27A).
Thirty-day notice to quit: You will receive this notice if you have a month-to-month lease or rental agreement that your landlord wants to end. Under this notice, you will have 30 days to move out of the rental unit (see Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.34).
For more information on the eviction process in Iowa, see The Eviction Process in Iowa. Also, if you are being evicted because the rental property is being foreclosed, see the Nolo article Rights of Renters in Foreclosure.
If you are being evicted for not paying rent or violating the lease, then your eviction notice will state the reason for the eviction. If you comply with the eviction notice by either paying all the rent due and owing or correcting the lease violation, then, in Iowa, the landlord must not proceed with the eviction (see Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27).
If you do not comply with the eviction notice and you and your landlord are not able to reach an agreement, then your landlord can file the eviction lawsuit with the court. You will receive a copy of the paperwork after your landlord files. You need to review this paperwork very carefully. It will have information in it regarding an upcoming hearing and let you know whether you need to file any paperwork with the court, such as an answer, before attending this hearing. An answer is a document that allows you to state the reasons why you should not be evicted. This is where you need to put any defenses to the eviction, such as the rental unit needing necessary repairs. In Iowa, a rental unit is required to have working heat and electricity and running hot and cold water, among other things. If the landlord fails to maintain the rental unit, then you might be able to use this as a defense against the eviction (see Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.15). For more ideas on possible defenses against an eviction, see Tenant Defenses to Evictions in Iowa. You should also contact a lawyer to ensure you are using the best defenses available to you.
Regardless of whether you are required to file an answer, you need to attend the scheduled hearing. At the hearing, the judge will consider both sides of the eviction case and make a decision. If you do not attend the hearing, then it is very likely the judge will rule against you and allow the eviction to proceed.