Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Polk County small claims — landlord-tenant, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Des Moines the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Polk County small claims — landlord-tenant is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Iowa URLTA is the book. Des Moines Neighborhood Inspection is the conditions door.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Des Moines 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Is Des Moines the same as the rest of Iowa for renters?
Iowa URLTA is the book. Des Moines Neighborhood Inspection is the conditions door. Polk County small claims — landlord-tenant hears possession cases. Dial 311 for City services. Do not import another city’s ordinance.
The Des Moines layer
Iowa URLTA is the book. Des Moines Neighborhood Inspection is the conditions door.
Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Iowa Code §§ 562A.1 to 562A.37) is the Iowa floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Des Moines questions
Can my landlord in Des Moines evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Polk County small claims — landlord-tenant is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Des Moines?
That number is in Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Is Des Moines the same as the rest of Iowa for renters?
Iowa URLTA is the book. Des Moines Neighborhood Inspection is the conditions door. Polk County small claims — landlord-tenant hears possession cases. Dial 311 for City services. Do not import another city’s ordinance.
What number should I call in Des Moines?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Des Moines 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org