My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Iowa
We purchased a home and moved most of our stuff out of our rental duplex. We were at the duplex for 4 years, our lease wasn't up until the end of July. Our landlord asked us to break the lease instead of paying until it's over. It would be easier to rent out in summer than September. Long story short we gave in and gave him full access to the property while we are still working on it. He gave us a verbal list of things we need to fix, I asked him to send me a written list but he said he can't until we clean and fix the unit. We are going to do what is on the move out sheet. The verbal requests was fixing/staining the baseboards, molding around the windows and cabinets. Purchasing paint to repaint the basement stairs, purchase paint to paint over the fixed nail holes. He left paint for the fixed nail holes but it was 4+ years old and it turned out lighter than the wall. So I can understand that. The biggest issue is the carpet. He told us that we need to repair or replace the living room carpet because of damage by the front door. I asked him when the carpet was installed and he said either right before you moved in but up to a year before. When we moved in there was a gap between the linoleum and the carpet, we noted this on the damage checklist. We have been told by a few people that it was installed incorrectly. We had a carpet repair specialist come out today for a free estimate, $250 for the area or $800 for the whole living room. She said the carpet was incorrectly installed which is what caused the damage. She noted this on her report. What should we do? Should we just deal with it and fix everything? Just protest the carpet (life expectancy and installed wrong)? Or protest everything that is not written? I have tons of pictures before and after.
I also have all 4 leases and the move out instructions. But I do not have the damage checklist. I am still looking for it. The landlord is saying he can't find his copy.
Edit: I tried to add pictures but it says I'm not allowed too.

