Opinion ID: 1747984
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Holding-Over Claim.

Text: A. Applicable statute of limitations. In count II, the Meisters seek damages resulting from Hallett's holding over after termination of its tenancy. The court of appeals concluded this claim was either founded on [an] unwritten contract, or not otherwise provided for, and therefore, was subject to a five-year limitations period. Iowa Code § 614.1(4) (providing for five-year statute of limitations for claims founded on [an] unwritten contract or not otherwise provided for). We agree the five-year statute of limitations applies, and consequently, this claim is barred if it accrued more than five years prior to this action being filed in April 2003. B. Accrual of claim. The Meisters' holding-over claim is explicitly tied to their claim for recovery of real property. Hallett cannot be deemed to be holding over until there has been a demand by the Meisters to relinquish the property. The undisputed facts show the Meisters did not demand that Hallett vacate the property until 2002, within five years of the filing of this lawsuit in 2003. Therefore, the Meisters filed their holding-over claim within the statute of limitations. The district court erred in ruling to the contrary.