Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Iowa

My daughter was gonna rent an apartment with a friend splitting all costs. The lease is in friends name only cause my daughter might move before the lease is up.Two days before my daughter was to move in friend made up a story to try and get my daughter to get name on lease also. All my daughter signed was a rental application from landlord listing that she would be living there and her contact info.... no lease was signed. Now friend is trying to say that my daughter and her had a verbal contract and that she owes half of deposit and other fees. My daughter paid some but friend is saying she owes like $800 but will take $300.Friend is saying till that is paid she not getting her stuff back...mostly clothes. Said friend already has another roommate so she is not out any money. Can this go to small claims court?


Asked on 12/23/11, 2:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Yes. Your daughter's friend has no legal right to distrain your daughter's property. I'd suggest she go to your local law enforcement agency, explain the situation and see if they'll send her with a law enforcement officer to retrieve her property.

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Answered on 12/27/11, 5:41 am


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