Landlady Suing in Small Claims Court, in Iowa
I rented a house with 3 frat buddies in 7/06. Things went well until 10/06. Two of the roommates dropped out of college and all 3 used drugs in the house. They even sold some in the house. I became odd man out. I asked/demanded but they did not stop.
I called the landlady in Nov 06 and said things are not working out. How could I get out of the lease. She said I could sublease. I did not mention the drugs.
I went to her house in late 11/06 with my dad. I gave her my key and 12/06 rent in advance. She gave me a sublease form. She said I was responsible for my bedroom only.
She is a very nice person.
She called me in mid December and said she had a subleaser. My roommates refused the subleaser. They told the landlady they would find their own subleaser.
She called me in mid January 07 and said she was evicting the renters. She did not send me an eviction notice.
In April 07 I was served papers for small claims court for rent and damages of $5000.
My name was in a separate paragraph from the other 3 renters. I tried calling her 2 times. In voice mail I said keep my damage deposit.
In May 07 we went to small claim court pretrial. A mediator asked if she wanted to use mediation. She said no. Our trial date the second week of August 07.
I heard they really trashed the place. I don’t blame her for being mad. I haven’t spoken to the roommates since I moved out. One of the roommates’ mother is a lawyer.
I heard from mutual friends that they are going to blame it on me.
If someone had called me in Dec-Jan and said there was a problem, I would have paid another month rent and looked for a subleaser myself.
How will this come down in small claims court? Should I mention the drug usage to the judge? Can I bring my father as a witness? Is the most I have to pay one fourth of the $5000?
Thanks.
Re: Landlady Suing in Small Claims Court, in Iowa
Bring in all of the evidence and witnesses you have to establish that the damage occurred after you left. If the judge believes you caused all the damage, the judge can order you to pay for all of the damage.
Re: Landlady Suing in Small Claims Court, in Iowa
So I should not mention the drug usage in the house>
Is that an unwrittne rule?
Two of the roommates have drug-related convictions.
Thanks for your help.