Shelley Barnes and Cameron Barnes v. CDM Rentals, LLC

Summary

The Iowa Supreme Court vacated the Court of Appeals and affirmed the district court’s summary‑judgment ruling granting judgment for CDM Rentals. The Court held that the landlord did not have a common‑law duty to keep the shared driveway clear because it lacked control over the driveway and downspout, and it declined to address contractual duties that were not preserved. Accordingly, the landlord owed no statutory duty under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act because the statute imposes duties only where the landlord has control.