I have a good question. I was told that Iowa law states that you can end a year lease by giving 30 days written notice to landlord through certified mail. I have not came across that information yet. My question is how can I terminate my lease legally and is this thing with the 30 day notice true? I like my apartment that I am in but since I moved in on the first of September the neighborhood just keeps getting worse and worse in the last few months. The maintenance doesn't do a very good job when they do repairs, no one ever answers the phones at the office and the cops have been at the apartment complex parallel to mine almost every other day due to crime and domestic issues. I don't feel safe living here anymore and I feel uncomfortable leaving my car or apartment unattended if I go for a walk or leave for work. Can anyone help?

Certainly in the UK you can give 30days notice, but obviously your laws will be different. Is there no organisation that governs tenants rights that you can contact? Surely there must be some kind of get out clause...

I just found this... it may help...

Tenant Rights, Laws and Protections: Iowa - HUD

No, No state allows you to terminate a lease early just by giving notice. What you were probably told is that you have to give 30 days notice prior to the end of the lease that you will not be renewing.

I see no grounds in your post to justify breaking your lease. So you have two options.

1) Sublet (if the lease allows)
2) negotiate a buyout with your landlord.