Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Dubuque

Find the right Tenant attorney in Dubuque, IA

Tenant Law in Iowa

The relationship between a landlord and tenant in Dubuque, Iowa can occasionally be a touchy one. Landlords and tenants are not always clear on their respective rights and obligations.

Landlords and tenants have to navigate a web of legal rights and commitments. It's essential that the parties to a landlord/tenant relationship know what obligations they have to one another.

Landlord's Rights in Dubuque, IA

Landlords are, of course, entitled to collect rent from their tenants. If a tenant fails to pay the agreed-upon rent, the landlord is usually able to evict the tenant without too much trouble, though the process can sometimes get fairly complicated.

Additionally, landlords can bill the tenant for any damage they cause to the unit, whether it was intentional or negligent. The costs of repairs for such damage can be deducted from a tenant's security deposit, but it should be noted that tenants aren't accountable for normal wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in Dubuque, IA

At the most basic level, tenants have a basic right to what they're paying for: a habitable living environment. Thus, landlords in Dubuque, Iowa must ensure that the units they rent to tenants meet some basic standards for human habitation. These requirements vary from state to state, but are often fairly easy to meet. There are no legal standards that rented units be pretty, particularly spacious, or luxurious. They simply have to be fit for human beings to live in them. To be considered "habitable," rented units must have water, electricity, some form of heating (if the local climate necessitates it), and adequate protection from the elements (proper insulation, no roof leaks, windows that close, etc.).

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet Dubuque, Iowa's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are obligated to make, at their own expense, the required repairs.

Under the laws of Iowa, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Additionally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to authorize the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

And lastly, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord typically can't evict the tenant until the lease expires, without a good reason. Valid causes for eviction include unpaid rent, illegal activities on the property, damage to the building caused by the tenant, and excessive noise.

Can a Dubuque, Iowa Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants generally want to avoid conflict with one another. Nonetheless, conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. If you end up in a major dispute with a landlord or a tenant, a seasoned Dubuque, Iowa landlord/tenant attorney can help.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Dubuque

Dubuque is the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa. It is situated along the Mississippi river, and has an estimated population of just under 60,000, placing it in the top ten largest cities in Iowa.

Dubuque is one ofthe oldest settlements west of the Mississippi River. The firstEuropeans toset foot in the area were French missionaries commissioned by the French government to establish a new colony in North America, and map the unexplored areas beyond the colony's borders. Theyreached what is now known asDubuque in 1673. The first permanent settlement in the areawas established by Julien Dubuque, who arrived in 1785 and gave the area its present name.

The area has rich deposits of lead, and Dubuque quickly grew in wealth and population, with its economy revolving around mining. Today, the economy of Dubuque, Iowa is fairly diverse, based on tourism, publishing, and various high-tech fields. Dubuque, Iowa attracts visitors with its beautiful natural scenery, and many fascinating historical sites.

If you live in Dubuque, and need an attorney, chances are excellent that you'll find a Dubuque, Iowa lawyer who can handle whatever case you're likely to face.

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