Iowa
This article provides a quick overview of some key Iowa Landlord-Tenant laws applicable to residential rental units. We’ve used the Official Iowa Statutes cited below to research this information and it should be a good starting point in learning about the law.
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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.