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Sign a contract with the landlord that if you bring a skunk into the building at any time, there will be a $1000 fine. Will this clause be upheld in Iowa?

a. Yes
b. No
c. Only if skunk sprayed

User Sold Out
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The clause in an Iowa lease agreement imposing a $1000 fine for bringing a skunk into the building is likely to be valid and enforceable, provided it doesn't violate any laws or public policies. The fine's enforceability generally does not depend on the skunk spraying unless the lease specifies this condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question pertains to whether a specific clause in a rental agreement would be upheld in the state of Iowa, which falls under the domain of Law. The clause in question is about the imposition of a $1000 fine for bringing a skunk into the building. Generally, lease and rental agreement clauses are enforceable if they are clear, and explicit, and do not violate any statutes or public policies.

In Iowa, as in many other jurisdictions, landlords have the right to include provisions in their lease agreements to protect their property and the well-being of other tenants. While this question does not concern a specific legal statute, under Iowa law, as long as the clause does not discriminate against a protected class and is not unconscionable or illegal, it is likely to be considered valid and enforceable. A clause imposing a fine for bringing a prohibited animal into a housing unit does not immediately appear to violate any Iowa laws, but the enforceability could still depend on the specific circumstances and the reasonableness of the clause.

The fact that the skunk was sprayed or not would generally not affect the enforceability of such clause unless the lease specifically stipulates that the fine is contingent upon the skunk releasing its spray, which would need to be expressly written in the agreement. In the absence of such a specific condition, the mere presence of the skunk would trigger the clause.

User Takman
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