Iowa legally requires landlords to meet certain “habitability” requirements for all rental properties. This means that they’re responsible for providing a property that meets specific health and safety standards and for fixing issues that violate them.
Iowa Implied Warranty of Habitability
In Iowa, the implied warranty of habitability means that a landlord must provide and maintain a safe and habitable rental property. “Implied” means the requirement applies whether or not the lease agreement specifically says so and even if the lease tries to waive the obligation.
Examples of clear habitability violations include:
- Exposed electrical wiring.
- A pipe leaking human waste.
- A broken front doorknob that won’t lock.
However, the implied warranty of habitability does not guarantee that anything at the property will be pretty, clean, new or issue-free, so it doesn’t cover things like stained carpet or dents in a wall. It only guarantees basic health and safety.
Landlord Responsibilities in Iowa
Note: Check local city/county laws and ordinances for additional requirements.
| Item | Has To Provide? | Has To Fix / Replace? |
| Air Conditioning / Heating | Only Heating | Only Heating |
| Hot Water | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen Appliances | No | Only If Provided |
| Washer & Dryer | No | Only If Provided |
| Smoke/CO Detectors | Yes | Yes |
| Window Coverings | No | No |
| Light Fixtures | No | Only If Provided |
| Landscaping | No | No |
| Garbage Removal | Yes | Yes |
| Garbage Pickup | Yes | Yes |
| Mold | N/A | Yes |
| Pest Control | No | N/A |
| Pest Infestations | N/A | Yes |
| Water Leaks | N/A | Sometimes |
| Clogs | N/A | Sometimes |
Landlord Responsibilities for Heating & Air Conditioning in Iowa
Iowa landlords do have a responsibility to provide heating for rental properties. They don’t have to provide air conditioning, but they do have to maintain an air conditioner that’s supplied with the property.
Are Landlords Required to Provide Air Filter Replacements in Iowa?
Iowa landlords don’t have to replace things like air filters, unless heating equipment won’t work otherwise.
Landlord Responsibilities for Plumbing in Iowa
Iowa landlords must keep plumbing in good working condition.
Are Landlords Required To Provide Hot Water in Iowa?
Iowa landlords must provide and maintain running heated water for rental properties.
Are Landlords Responsible for Fixing Clogged Drains & Toilets in Iowa?
Iowa landlords have to fix clogs the renter didn’t cause, which keep the plumbing from being in good working condition.
Are Landlords in Iowa Responsible for Fixing Leaks?
Iowa landlords have to fix leaks the tenant didn’t cause, which keep the plumbing from being in good working condition.
Landlord Responsibilities for Kitchen Appliances in Iowa
Iowa landlords don’t have to provide kitchen appliances such as a dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, or refrigerator. If the landlord provides any of these, however, the landlord has to maintain them as well.
Landlord Responsibilities for Electrical Issues in Iowa
Iowa landlords are responsible for maintaining electrical service and features on rental property.
Are Landlords Responsible for Replacing Light Bulbs in Iowa?
Iowa landlords are not responsible for providing light bulbs or particular light fixtures. However, for appliances and fixtures with light bulbs that the landlord provided, it’s the landlord’s job to keep them in good order.
Landlord Responsibilities for Garbage Removal in Iowa
Iowa landlords must provide and maintain outside garbage containers and garbage removal services.
Landlord Responsibilities for Landscaping in Iowa
Iowa landlords have no specific obligation to provide landscaping or maintain it with actions like cutting grass. They only have to deal with issues like fallen trees if they interfere with the cleanliness of common areas, violate local codes, or create a hazard to health and safety.
Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Mold in Iowa
Iowa landlords are responsible for most mold issues. While there’s no state requirement for testing, landlords must investigate and fix mold problems since they threaten health and safety. The renter may be liable for the cost of fixing an issue that’s due to lack of personal cleanliness.
Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Pests in Iowa
Iowa landlords must fix pest issues the renter didn’t cause, including rats, roaches, mice, bed bugs, and ants. There’s no requirement to regularly test for infestations.
Landlord Responsibilities for Windows & Window Coverings in Iowa
Iowa landlords have no specific responsibility to provide or maintain specific types of windows and window screens, except what’s required for basic safety and habitability (like repairing broken windows).
Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Safety Devices in Iowa
Iowa landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining smoke alarms and required carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
Are Landlords Responsible for Replacing Batteries of Safety Devices in Iowa?
Iowa landlords are responsible for keeping safety devices operable, which includes battery replacement. The landlord has to restore safety devices to working order within thirty days of getting a written notification that there’s an issue.
Landlord Responsibilities for Washers and Dryers in Iowa
Iowa landlords are not required to furnish their rental properties with a working washer and dryer. However, if they are provided, the landlord is responsible for fixing them if they stop working properly.
Renter’s Rights for Repairs in Iowa
Renters in Iowa have the right to repairs for issues that affect health and safety, unless they caused the issue themselves. To exercise their right, the renter must start by notifying the landlord of the issue in writing. The landlord gets seven days after notice to fix the issue.
If the issue isn’t fixed, the renter can end the rental agreement, repair and deduct themselves, or ask a court to order repairs or compensation. However, renters are not allowed to unilaterally withhold rent.
Sources
- 1 Mease v. Fox, 200 N.W.2d 791, 796 (Iowa 1972)
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“[T]he landlord impliedly warrants at the outset of the lease that there are no latent defects in facilities and utilities vital to the use of the premises for residential purposes and that these essential features shall remain during the entire term in such condition to maintain the habitability of the dwelling. Further, the implied warranty we perceive in the lease situation is a representation there neither is nor shall be during the term a violation of applicable housing law, ordinance or regulation which shall render the premises unsafe, or unsanitary and unfit for living therein.”
Source Link - 2 Ia. Code § 562a.15(1)(a) (2022)
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“The landlord shall: (1) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. (2) Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition. (3) Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition. … (4) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord. (5) Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences, accessible to all tenants, for the central collection and removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their removal. (6) Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable heat…”
Source Link - 3 Ia. Code § 562a.11(1)(a) (2022)
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“A rental agreement shall not provide that the tenant or landlord… Agrees to waive or to forego rights or remedies under this chapter[,] provided that this restriction shall not apply to rental agreements covering single family residences on land assessed as agricultural land and located in an unincorporated area.”
Source Link - 4 Ia. Code § 562a.17(6) (2022)
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“The tenant shall… Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove a part of the premises or knowingly permit a person to do so. If damage, defacement, alteration, or destruction of property by the tenant is intentional, the tenant may be criminally charged with criminal mischief pursuant to chapter 716.”
Source Link - 5 Ia. Code § 562a.27(3) (2022)
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“Except as provided in this chapter, the landlord may recover damages and obtain injunctive relief for noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement or section 562A.17 [tenant obligation to maintain premises] unless the tenant demonstrates affirmatively that the tenant has exercised due diligence and effort to remedy any noncompliance, and that the tenant’s failure to remedy any noncompliance was due to circumstances beyond the tenant’s control. If the tenant’s noncompliance is willful, the landlord may recover reasonable attorney fees.”
Source Link - 6 Ia. Fire Code § 100.18(2)(b) (2022)
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“The rules shall require the installation of smoke detectors in existing single-family rental units and multiple-unit residential buildings.”
Source Link - 7 Ia. Fire Code § 100.18(3)(b) (2022)
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“The rules shall require the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in existing single-family rental units and multiple-unit residential buildings that have a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage.”
Source Link - 8 Ia. Fire Code § 100.18(7) (2022)
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“If a smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm is found to be inoperable, the owner or manager of the multiple-unit residential building or single-family rental unit shall correct the situation within thirty days after written notification.”
Source Link - 9 Ia. Code § 562a.21(1) (2022)
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“Except as provided in this chapter, if there is a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with section 562A.15 [landlord duties] materially affecting health and safety, the tenant may elect to commence an action under this section and shall deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and that 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[.]”
Source Link
