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  1. #1

    Default Paying Off Utilities Before Returning Security Deposit

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Iowa

    So we have had a lot of issues with our LL (before moving out too). Very long story short, he finally found someone to rent the unit yesterday and move in today. We returned the keys to him last night. We were told we have to pay off all the utilities before he will send our deposit and pro rated rent for June back to us. We called our energy company late last night to find out the pay off amount. Since they bill a month behind we won't get a bill for June until the middle of July. We can't pay and make a credit on the account because it's not paid off. The new tenant already has all the utilities in their name yesterday afternoon. Previously we only rented apartments from a company and got the deposit back right away.

    They were in our name, so if we didn't pay them they would come after us not the LL or new tenants, correct? We have a great on time record for payments! We did have a (nice) discussion with the LL awhile back about the utilities. We went to check on the unit and he left the water running in the kitchen, all the lights on and with the windows cracked: per lease we had to keep the AC on at all times to maintain the temperature of 70 in the unit during summer. We haven't lived there in 2.5 months.

    Is this standard practice to not return the money until the utilities are paid?

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Default Re: Paying Off Utilities Before Returning Security Deposit

    Quote Quoting lovemyfamily23
    View Post

    Is this standard practice to not return the money until the utilities are paid?
    No.

    And it could be illegal if he holds the security deposit past the 30 day statutory requirement.

    However, he does get the 30 days from the termination of the tenancy which didn't occur until you returned the keys to him.

    Until the 30 days are up it doesn't matter why he says he's holding it.

    Read the security deposit law at:

    http://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/200...-562a/562a-12/

    Quote Quoting lovemyfamily23
    View Post

    Since they bill a month behind we won't get a bill for June until the middle of July.
    That would be within the 30 days since you just turned in the keys yesterday. Make sure you get receipts from the utility company and provide copies to the LL as soon as you get them.

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