Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Under Iowa Code § 562A.12(1), a landlord shall not demand or receive as a security deposit an amount or value in excess of two months' rent. Other subsections of § 562A.12 address how rental deposits must be held, return timing and itemization, transfer of the landlord's interest, and damages for bad-faith retention; those rules are not fully restated here. Example: if monthly rent is $1,200, the landlord may not demand a security deposit of more than $2,400.

Question 2

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant gives a mailing address: return the deposit or give a written statement of specific reasons for withholding.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

At least 24 hours' notice, and entry only at reasonable times (except emergencies).

Question 4

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Written notice at least 30 days before the effective date; not effective before the lease (or renewal) expires.

Question 5

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Iowa, and how much?

Accepted Answer

Rent up to $700/month: late fee capped at $12/day and $60/month. Rent over $700: $20/day and $100/month.

Question 6

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Under Iowa Code § 562A.27(2), if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent within three days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment and the landlord's intention to terminate the rental agreement if the rent is not paid within that period of time, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. Subsection (1) sets a separate written-notice process for material noncompliance with the rental agreement or with section 562A.17 that materially affects health and safety, generally giving a date not less than seven days after receipt of the notice to remedy, with a path to terminate upon at least seven days' written notice if substantially the same act or omission recurs within six months. Subsection (4) is a defense in a possession action based on nonpayment of rent if the tenant proves the listed conditions, including that the landlord failed to comply with the rental agreement or section 562A.15, that the tenant notified the landlord at least seven days prior to the due date of the tenant's rent payment of an intention to correct the condition at the landlord's expense, that the reasonable cost of correcting the condition is equal to or less than one month's periodic rent, and that the tenant in good faith caused the condition to be corrected before receiving written notice of the landlord's intention to terminate for nonpayment. Subsection (5) allows a municipal housing agency established pursuant to chapter 403A to issue a thirty-day notice of lease termination for a rental-agreement violation that is a violation of a federal regulation governing the tenant's eligibility for or continued participation in a public housing program, and the agency is not required to provide a right or opportunity to remedy when the notice cites that federal regulation as authority. Example: a private landlord who has not been paid rent must give written notice of the nonpayment and of an intention to terminate if the rent is not paid within three days; the three-day clock in subsection (2) starts from that written notice, not from a different kind of notice.

Question 7

Can cities in Iowa pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A city may not adopt or enforce any ordinance limiting the rent charged for private residential or commercial property.

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice. Week-to-week tenancies need 10 days' notice.

Question 9

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Deposits must be held in a federally insured bank, savings and loan or credit union, separate from the landlord's own funds. Any interest earned during the first five years of a tenancy belongs to the landlord.

Question 10

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ch. 562A, reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) requires no move-in or move-out inspection or checklist.

Question 11

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required maintenance, or joined a tenants' union. Tenants can recover damages and attorney fees, and retaliation is a defense to eviction.

Question 12

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes a tenant, or willfully cuts electricity, gas, water or other essential services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease. The tenant can also recover actual damages, punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent, and attorney fees.

Question 13

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

For a material breach affecting health and safety, the tenant can give written notice that the lease ends in 7 days unless the breach is remedied (§ 562A.21). If heat, water, hot water or essential services are withheld, after written notice the tenant may buy them and deduct the cost from rent, recover reduced rental value, or get pro-rated rent back (§ 562A.23).

Question 14

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for service and notices), and keep this information current.

Question 15

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

No state statute setting a procedure for belongings a tenant leaves behind was found in Iowa Code chapter 562A. Section 562A.29(3) covers abandonment of the unit itself (re-renting and ending the lease).

Question 16

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

No state statute giving domestic violence victims a right to end a lease early was found in Iowa Code chapter 562A. Iowa Code § 29A.101 (section text reviewed 2026-10-22) bars landlords from terminating some service members' leases for nonpayment but does not give tenants an early-termination right.

Question 17

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ch. 562A, reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no grace period before a late fee. It caps late fees at $12/day or $60/month for rent of $700 or less, and $20/day or $100/month above $700 (§ 562A.9(4)).

Question 18

How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 562A, the landlord-tenant statute, found no application-fee limit.

Question 19

How does the eviction court process work in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

The court must set the hearing no later than 8 days after filing, or up to 15 days if the landlord requests or agrees.

Question 20

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

If the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply heat, running water, hot water or essential services, the tenant may give written notice and buy reasonable amounts of them during the outage and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from rent (or get damages or substitute housing instead).

Question 21

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

If a tenant stays without consent after the lease ends, the landlord may sue for possession and, for a willful, bad-faith holdover, recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.

Question 22

Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Either side may end a tenancy with a term longer than month-to-month by written notice at least 30 days before the end of the term.

Question 23

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

In a possession action where the tenant raises a defense or counterclaim, the court may order the tenant to pay accrued and future rent into court. The court then decides what each party is owed.

Question 24

Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law (ch. 562A) found no rule on subletting or assignment. The lease controls.

Question 25

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 562A found no provision on a tenant's death.

Question 26

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Source of income is not a protected class in Iowa's housing anti-discrimination section. Iowa Code § 216.8 covers race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability and familial status.

Question 27

What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 562A found no separate rule on pet deposits or pet fees, so any pet deposit falls under the general security-deposit rules in that law. Assistance-animal rules are in fair-housing law, which this site has not reviewed for this topic.

Question 28

What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 562A found no requirement for landlords to pay tenants relocation assistance. Government relocation programs, such as those for public projects, are in other laws not reviewed here.

Question 29

What is the rent receipts, payment methods & cash rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 562A found no rule requiring rent receipts, requiring or banning any payment method, or limiting payment fees. Unless otherwise agreed, rent is due at the time and place the parties agreed.

Question 30

What is the eviction record sealing rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 648 (forcible entry and detainer) found no provision for sealing or expunging eviction records. Court rules or other statutes, which this site has not reviewed, may still provide for it.

Question 31

What is the condo conversion protections rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Iowa Code ch. 499B (Horizontal Property Act) found no notice, purchase or relocation rights for tenants when rental property is converted to condominiums. The only conversion rule is that a declaration converting an existing structure must be filed with the city (or county) at least 60 days before it is recorded, so building-code compliance can be checked (§ 499B.3). Local ordinances may still apply.

Question 32

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

An eviction (forcible entry and detainer) based on the grounds in § 648.1(1), (2), (3) or (5) can be brought in small claims, where it is treated as a small claim (§ 631.1(2)). The small claims filing and docketing fee is $95, plus $20 postage for mailing the original notice (§ 631.6(1)).

Question 33

What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for lease violations. If the breach can be fixed by repairs, paying damages or otherwise and the tenant fixes it before the date in the notice, the lease does not end. If the same thing happens again within six months, the landlord can end the lease on 7 days' notice with no chance to fix it. Code text: "If the breach is remediable by repairs or the payment of damages or otherwise and the tenant adequately remedies the breach prior to the date specified in the notice, the rental agreement shall not terminate."

Question 34

What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

For a material lease violation, the landlord gives written notice that the lease ends at least 7 days after the tenant receives it unless the breach is fixed within 7 days. Code text: "the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than seven days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in seven days."

Question 35

What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Deposits must be held for the tenant in a federally insured bank, savings and loan or credit union, and not mixed with the landlord's personal funds. A shared, interest-bearing trust account is allowed. Code text: "Rental deposits shall not be commingled with the personal funds of the landlord."

Question 36

What is the manufactured / mobile home parks rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Under Iowa's Manufactured Home Communities or Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a park may end a rental agreement for a material breach on at least 30 days' written notice if the breach is not fixed within 14 days, or after 3 days' written notice for unpaid rent. Code text: "the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than thirty days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in fourteen days."

Question 37

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Existing single-family rental units and multi-unit residential buildings must have smoke detectors under state fire rules. Those with a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage also need carbon monoxide alarms. Owners must supply light-emitting alarms on request for deaf or hard-of-hearing tenants. Code text: "The rules shall require the installation of smoke detectors in existing single-family rental units and multiple-unit residential buildings."

Question 38

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after" entering military service, the date of the military orders, or the date of a stop movement order (50 U.S.C. 3955(a)(1)(A)-(C)).

Question 39

What is the tenant buyout disclosures rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Iowa Code ch. 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-16) has no provision on tenant buyout agreements or buyout disclosures. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 40

What is the guest & occupancy limits rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Iowa Code ch. 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-16) has no provision on guest stays or occupancy limits. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 41

What is the rental / transient occupancy tax rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Iowa imposes a 5% state hotel and motel tax on renting lodging; local hotel/motel taxes may add to it. Statute text: "A tax of five percent is imposed upon the sales price for the renting of any lodging if the lodging is located in this state" (Iowa Code § 423A.3).

Question 42

What is the property manager licensing rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

In Iowa, renting or leasing real estate for another for compensation is brokerage (§ 543B.3) and requires a real estate license. Statute text: "A person shall not, directly or indirectly, with the intention or upon the promise of receiving any valuable consideration, offer, attempt, agree to perform, or perform any single act as a real estate broker whether as a part of a transaction or as an entire transaction, or represent oneself as a real estate broker, broker associate, or salesperson, without first obtaining a license and otherwise complying with the requirements of this chapter" (Iowa Code §§ 543B.1, 543B.3).

Question 43

What rights does a tenant have after foreclosure in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

After a foreclosure sale, the buyer can remove an occupant who stays in possession through Iowa's summary forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action. The statute gives no special notice period for tenants of a foreclosed owner. Statute text: "Where the defendant continues in possession after a sale by foreclosure of a mortgage, or on execution, unless the defendant claims by a title paramount to the lien by virtue of which the sale was made, or by title derived from the purchaser at the sale" (Iowa Code § 648.1(4)).

Question 44

Can the city inspect my rental property in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Iowa cities with 15,000 or more people must have a housing code, and a city that adopts or is subject to one must run regular rental inspections, inspections on complaint and certification of inspected rental housing. Statute text: "shall adopt enforcement procedures, which shall include a program for regular rental inspections, rental inspections upon receipt of complaints, and certification of inspected rental housing" (Iowa Code § 364.17(2)-(3)).

Question 45

What are the Airbnb / short-term rental rules in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Iowa cities generally may not regulate short-term rentals (30 days or less), which count as residential use for zoning. Cities may still enforce listed health, safety, noise, nuisance and similar rules applied the same way as to other property. Statute text: "A city shall not adopt or enforce any regulation, restriction, or other ordinance, including a conditional use permit requirement, relating to short-term rental properties within the city." (Iowa Code § 414.1(1)(e)).

Question 46

Does a landlord need just cause to evict in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Iowa Code ch. 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "just cause," "good cause," "for cause" and "without cause") has no general just-cause (good-cause) requirement for ending a tenancy. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 47

What federal protections does a tenant have after foreclosure in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (made permanent in 2018), whoever takes over a home through foreclosure must give a bona fide tenant at least 90 days' notice to vacate. A tenant with a bona fide lease signed before the notice of foreclosure (the date title passes) can stay until the lease ends, unless the unit is sold to a buyer who will live there as a primary residence; that buyer must still give the 90-day notice. Month-to-month and at-will tenants also get the 90 days. A tenancy is bona fide only if the tenant is not the borrower or the borrower's child, spouse or parent, the deal was at arm's length, and the rent is not far below market (unless it is subsidized). State or local laws with longer notice or more protection still apply, and any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Statute text: "the provision, by such successor in interest of a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant at least 90 days before the effective date of such notice" (Pub. L. 111-22, SEC. 702(a)(1)).

Question 48

What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

No state statute giving domestic abuse victims an early lease termination right was found in Iowa Code chapter 562A. Section 562A.27A(3) does protect a tenant from a clear and present danger termination when another person caused the danger and the tenant seeks a protective order or reports it to police.

Question 49

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

No state statute limiting criminal history or credit screening by private landlords was found in Iowa Code chapter 562A or the civil rights housing section (§ 216.8).

Question 50

Does Iowa have rent control?

Accepted Answer

No state statute capping rents was found in the Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law (Iowa Code ch. 562A). Section 562A.13(5) requires written notice of a rent increase at least 30 days before it takes effect.

Question 51

What is the warranty of habitability in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

The landlord must comply with building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety and make all repairs needed to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.

Question 52

What disclosures must a landlord give in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner or the owner's agent for service and notices.

Question 53

What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

A landlord may not terminate the lease of a service member or dependents for nonpayment of rent during military service if the rent is below the amount set in the statute, subject to the statute's exceptions.

Question 54

Do landlords need a rental license or registration in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring landlords to register rental units was found in Iowa Code ch. 562A or § 364.17. Section 364.17 does require cities that adopt a housing code to run rental inspection and certification programs.

Iowa landlord-tenant law FAQ