Iowa

Iowa Landlord Tenant Key Rules

Official Iowa Forms:

 

Security Deposit

TOPIC	RULE
Security Deposit Maximum:	2x monthly rent Iowa Code § 562A.12(1)
Security Deposit Interest:	Interest earned from a security deposit account is the landlord’s property for the 5 years of tenancy. Iowa Code § 562A.12(2)
Separate Security Deposit Bank Account:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.12(2)
Non-refundable fees:	No statute
Pet Deposits and Additional Fees:	No statute
Deadline for Returning Security Deposit:	30 days Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a)
Permitted Uses of the Deposit:	Default rent, restore damages beyond regular wear and tear, recover expenses. Iowa Code § 562A.12(a)(1)(2)(3)
Security Deposit can be Withheld:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a)
Require Written Description/Itemized List of Damages and Charges:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a)
Receipt of Security Deposit:	No statute
Record Keeping of Deposit Withholdings:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(b)
Failure to Comply:	The landlord may be liable for up to 2x monthly rental amount + damages, and attorney fees. Iowa Code § 562A.12(7)(8)

Lease, Rent & Fees:

TOPIC	RULE
Rent is Due:	At the beginning of the month or each term i.e week to week unless otherwise stated in the rental agreement. Iowa Code § 562A.9(3)
Payment Methods:	No statute
Rent Increase Notice:	30 day notice required Iowa Code § 562A.13(5)
Late Fees:	$12/day maximum $60/month for rent that doesn’t exceed $700/month. If the rent exceeds $700/month then the late fee can be $20/day up to $100/month. Iowa Code § 562A.9(4)
Application Fees:	No statute
Prepaid Rent:	No statute
Returned Check Fees:	$30 maximum Iowa Code § 554.3512
Tenant Allowed to Withhold Rent for Failure to Provide Essential Services (Water, Heat, etc.):	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.23
Tenant Allowed to Repair and Deduct Rent:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.23
Self-Help Evictions:	Not allowed Iowa Code § 562A.26
Landlord Allowed to Recover Court and Attorney’s Fees:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.34
Landlord Must Make a Reasonable Attempt to Mitigate Damages to Lessee, including an Attempt to Re-rent:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.29

Notices and Entry:

TOPIC	RULE
Notice to Terminate Tenancy:	Lease agreements longer than month-to-month required a 30-day noticed. Usually, a fixed-term lease simply expires so a notice isn’t required. Iowa Code § 562A.34(3)
Notice to Terminate a Periodic Lease – Week-to-week:	10-day notice required Iowa Code § 562A.34(1)
Notice to Terminate a Periodic Lease – Month-to-Month:	30-day notice required Iowa Code § 562A.34(2)
Notice to Terminate Lease due to Sale of Property:	No statute
Notice of date/time of Move-Out Inspection:	No statute
Notice of Termination for Nonpayment:	7-day notice to remedy or quit. Iowa Code § 562A.27(1)
Notice for Lease Violation:	7-day notice to remedy or quit. Iowa Code § 562A.27(1)
Required Notice before Entry:	24-hour notice and entry must be within reasonable times. Iowa Code § 562A.19(3)
Entry Allowed with Notice for Maintenance and Repairs:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.19(1)
Emergency Entry Allowed without Notice:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.19(2)
Entry Allowed During Tenant’s Extended Absence:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.19(4)
Entry Allowed with Notice for Showing the Property:	Yes Iowa Code § 562A.19(1)
Notice to Tenants for Pesticide Use:	No staute
Lockouts Allowed:	No Iowa Code § 562A.33
Utility Shut-offs Allowed:	No Iowa Code § 562A.33
Electronic Notices Allowed:	No statute

Disclosures

• Name and Addresses: Must provide owner or manager info. (Iowa Code § 562A.13)
• Copy of the Lease: Required for written agreements. (Best practice)
• Domestic Violence Situations: Victims may terminate lease early. (Iowa Code § 562A.27B)

Duties

Landlord’s Duties

• Compliance: Must comply with housing codes. (Iowa Code § 562A.15)
• Repairs: Must keep premises habitable. (Iowa Code § 562A.15)
• Common Areas: Maintain safety and cleanliness. (Iowa Code § 562A.15)
• Maintenance: Ensure all essential services function. (Iowa Code § 562A.15)
• Garbage: Provide for waste disposal. (Iowa Code § 562A.15)

Tenant’s Duties

• Cleanliness: Maintain clean conditions. (Iowa Code § 562A.17)
• Trash: Proper disposal required. (Iowa Code § 562A.17)
• Plumbing: Keep fixtures in clean condition. (Iowa Code § 562A.17)
• Appliances: Use properly. (Iowa Code § 562A.17)
• Damage: Avoid damage to property. (Iowa Code § 562A.17)
• Quiet Enjoyment: Respect other tenants’ rights. (Iowa Code § 562A.17)
• Subleasing: Not allowed unless agreed. (Best practice)
• Retaliation: Landlords may not retaliate. (Iowa Code § 562A.36)
• Lead Disclosure: Federal requirement.