time restriction and confused (Iowa City, Union: apartments, rentals, dorms)

[sara1227]

My landlord is telling me i can have anyone after 8pm until 8am or that my BF can't stay even for one night or my rent will increase by 100.00. Is this even legal????

[mattawest]

If it was in the lease you signed, then yes, it's legal.

A lot of student apartments have leases that rent by the bedroom and only allow one person to live there.

[timeofseasons]

That is odd, but I guess if it was in the lease you signed your landlord could probably make the argument if they felt it was necessary.

[1stpontiac]

I believe there is a tenants-rights organization (maybe through the law school?) around campus that might be able to give you a little free advice. Not allowing any guests at all, even staying only after 8pm, seems a little extreme.

The whole "if its in the lease, its legal" doesn't necessarily hold water, either. I'm pretty sure a lease that said "no black people can set foot in the door, only whites and Native Americans" would be illegal, even if you signed it.

[duster1979]

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

I'm pretty sure a lease that said "no black people can set foot in the door, only whites and Native Americans" would be illegal, even if you signed it.

That's because it would be discriminatory. I think a landlord has the right to restrict overnight guests so long as it applies to all overnight guests.

My guess is that people rent in your particular building specifically because they don't want the noise and commotion of people coming and going at all hours. The regulations aren't there specifically to prohibit you from having a good time, they're there to ensure that the other tenants aren't disturbed from their studies by your good time.

As to the extra charge for the boyfriend, I assume that rent in your building is charged based on occupancy and the landlord has chosen to take a hard line rather than make exceptions and then having to make sure that any exceptions made are applied equitably.

Bottom line, it sounds like you've found an appartment or room that caters to those who take their studies very seriously and want the least distraction possible when they are at home. There are plenty of places in Iowa City, if the rules don't suit you then go elsewhere. If you've already committed consider it a lesson learned and deal with it the best you can.

[SharpHawkeye]

I presume you're a UI student? Take these steps right away.

1. Get out your lease and read it word for word.

Does it specifically say that you can't have visitors after 8PM? Does it specifically say that your rent will increase by $100 if you have someone overnight? (If it does, and you signed it, you probably don't have much of a case.)

2. Call the UI Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services - Iowa Memorial Union - The University of Iowa

Explain your situation and make an appointment to see a lawyer. Take a copy of your lease. You'll find out one way or another whether you have any options.

Good luck. I hope that you'll come back and let us know how it goes!

[Renchick]

These items probably are in your lease. If there is a housing shortage (and what college town does not have one) and rentals are expensive, adding sub-lets (roommates) to reduce your cost by splitting expenses can be very popular. People sign a lease for a one-room apartment, then they add a bed-mate, a roommate in the living area, etc. It overcrowds the parking, bike storage, use of the dumpsters and water use for showers and toilet use. So it kinda makes sense the landlord wants payment for anyone living there and, more importantly, does not want to be left having to "prove" an additional person is bunking in. Restrictions on overnight guests is very common in "male only" or "female only" dorms to restrict co-ed co-habitation, so landlords adopt the same rules to limit people being added to a lease illegally. I expect you will find that you signed away the idea of overnight - or even just prime-time - guests when you signed your lease.