What are my rights and responsibilities as a tenant?
As a tenant in Iowa, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Your landlord must ensure that the property is safe and habitable, and also must maintain common areas and services (e.g. plumbing, heating, and electricity) in working order. You have the right to privacy, and the landlord cannot enter your unit without giving you reasonable notice and cause, and cannot move in or make changes to the unit without your permission. Your responsibility is to abide by the lease agreement, and pay your rent on time. You’re also responsible for keeping the unit in reasonable condition, and not damaging any of the property or fixtures. You must obey all laws while living in the rental property, and not disturb other tenants or neighbors. You’re also responsible for taking all reasonable measures to prevent damage or injury to the property, such as maintaining smoke detectors and keeping the property clean. When the tenancy comes to an end, your responsibilities include returning the unit in the same or similar condition that it was given to you, and providing proper notice in accordance with the lease agreement. If certain terms of the lease agreement are broken, the landlord may have a legal right to sue for damages or breach of contract, or to evict you from the property.
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