Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Iowa

I signed a lease on 06/30 at 5:00 p.m. for an apartment. I received financial news after signing the lease that is preventing me from being able to afford the apartment. I called to terminate the lease for the apartment that I haven't moved into on 07/02/10 at 9:00 a.m. I was told at that time that I would have to pay 479.75 to terminate the lease to which I replied I would stop in later that afternoon to fill out the paperwork.

I called back numerous times that afternoon, no one answered. I called yesterday, they were closed for the holiday. I went in 1st thing this morning to fill out the paperwork and I now have to pay $479.75 as an early termination fee plus rent for August because I have to give a 30 day notice to vacate (this is stated in the lease). They will however be able to rent the apartment out at any time between my giving them my keys and september.

Is there anything I can do to get out of the lease without have to loose $1700 (deposit, 1st months rent, Aug. rent and early termination fee? I can't afford this fee.


Asked on 7/06/10, 7:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Without having the agreement you signed in hand to review, it's difficult to say what the takehome might be, but the takehome is that you signed the agreement. You can maybe sue the landlord in small claims court or have your attorney write a nastygram to the landlord.

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Answered on 7/07/10, 7:21 am


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