Under Iowa law, if a written or oral rental agreement exists, or if payment is accepted as rent, landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, such as the right to timely rent payments and a livable dwelling.
Tenant Responsibilities
Evictions
Security Deposits
Lease Termination
Rent Increases
Discrimination
Landlord Entry
Note: These rights exist regardless of what the rental agreement says.
Landlord Responsibilities in Iowa
In Iowa, landlords legally can’t rent property out unless it meets basic health and safety requirements. Here is a list of amenities and how they relate to Iowa’s habitability requirements:
| Item | Has To Provide? | Has To Fix/Replace? |
|---|---|---|
| Heating/AC | Only Heating | Only Heating |
| Hot Water | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen Appliances | No | Only If Provided |
| Garbage Containers/Removal | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors | Yes | Yes |
| Mold | N/A | Yes |
| Pest Control | N/A | Yes |
If a property doesn’t provide the legally required amenities for habitable housing, a tenant can usually report the landlord to government authorities for unsafe living conditions.
Renter’s Rights for Repairs in Iowa
Landlords must perform necessary repairs in a timely manner. In Iowa, landlords must make repairs within seven days after getting written notice from tenants.
If repairs aren’t made in a timely manner, Iowa tenants can sue for costs, or a court order to force the landlord to make repairs. They can also cancel the rental agreement, or make repairs and deduct from the rent, but they can’t unilaterally withhold rent.
Tenant Responsibilities in Iowa
Apart from paying rent in a timely manner and not disturbing neighbors, Iowa tenants must:
- Keep the unit in a safe condition and free from hazards
- Abide by cleanliness standards
- Make minor repairs and maintenance
- Comply with any building or housing codes that affect health and safety
- Keep all plumbing fixtures clean
- Use any facility or appliance in a reasonable manner
- Not deliberately or negligently destroy any part of the dwelling unit or allow others to do so
- Not disturb a neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of the premises
Evictions in Iowa
These are the most common reasons for pursuing eviction in Iowa:
- Nonpayment of Rent: If rent is not paid, then the landlord may issue a 3-Day Notice To Pay. Landlords are not required to provide a grace period for the payment of rent. If the tenant still does not pay then the landlord can pursue eviction.
- Violation of Lease Terms: If a lease violation occurs, landlords can issue a 7-Day Notice To Cure or Vacate. If the issue is not cured within seven days, then the landlord may issue a 3-Day Notice to Quit.
- No Lease/End of Lease: If the tenants holdover or stay in the rental unit after the rental period ends, a landlord may issue notice for the tenant to vacate the dwelling unit. Notice depends on the type of tenancy.
- Week-to-Week – 10-Day Notice To Quit.
- Month-to-Month – 30-Day Notice To Quit.
- Longer than Month-to-Month – 30-Day Notice To Quit.
- Material Health/Safety Violations: If a tenant violates a health, building, safety, or housing code, a landlord may issue a 7-Day Notice To Comply. If the tenant remains on the property and has not corrected the issue within seven days of the notice, a 3-Day Notice To Quit may be given to the tenant.
- Illegal Actions: If illegal activity is committed within 1,000 ft. of the property, then the landlord may issue a 3-Day Notice To Quit. Examples of illegal activities that warrant eviction in Iowa include assault, selling or using drugs, or owning an unregistered firearm.
Landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants as a form of retaliation or for discriminatory reasons.
Any Iowa property that was covered by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federally entitled to a minimum 30 days of advance notice before a landlord can file an eviction for nonpayment of rent or other fees. Iowa landlords must also fill out a CARES Act Landlord Verification before filing for eviction.
Landlord Retaliation in Iowa
It’s illegal for Iowa landlords to retaliate with raised rent, reduced services, or threatened eviction against tenants who have taken a protected action like reporting a landlord to government authorities for health and safety violations.
Security Deposits in Iowa
Collections and Holdings: The following laws apply to the collection and holding of security deposits:
- Maximum: 2 months’ rent
- Inventory Requirement: Landlords are not required to document the condition of the rental unit at the start of the lease term in order to collect security deposits
- Holding Requirement: Landlords must hold security deposits in a trust account or a federally-insured bank, credit union, or savings and loan association
- Interest Requirement: Landlords are only required to provide interest if they choose to hold security deposits in an interest-bearing account
Returns and Deductions: The following laws apply to the return of security deposits:
- Allowable Deductions: Unpaid rent, costs of damage excluding normal wear and tear, other charges outlined in the lease, and eviction expenses
- Time Limit for Return: 30 days
- Penalty for Failure to Return: Tenants can sue for twice the monthly rent plus the full security deposit, actual damages, and attorneys’ fees
Lease Termination in Iowa
Notice Requirements: If a tenant wishes to break a lease then they must give the following amount of notice:
| Rent Payment Frequency | Notice Needed |
|---|---|
| Week-to-Week | 10 Days |
| Month-to-Month | 30 Days |
| Quarter-to-Quarter | No Statute |
| Year-to-Year | 30 Days |
Early Termination: Iowa tenants may legally break a lease for the following reasons:
- Early termination clause in the lease
- Active military duty
- Uninhabitable unit
- Landlord harassment
- Illegal lease term
Cost of Breaking a Lease in Iowa
If an Iowa tenant breaks their lease early, they are still liable for the rent for the remaining lease period. Landlords are legally required to make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit, and if they find a new tenant, the original tenant is then no longer liable to pay all remaining rent.
Landlords cannot keep the full security deposit because a tenant broke their lease. The landlord can make deductions for damages or unpaid rent, but the rest must be returned to the tenant.
Rent Increases in Iowa
Iowa does not have rent control and state law prohibits cities and towns from creating their own rent control laws.
Because Iowa does not have rent control, landlords can raise the rent by any amount, as often as they choose, but they cannot increase the rent during the lease term unless the lease agreement allows for it. Additionally, landlords cannot increase the rent out of discrimination of federally-protected classes or in retaliation.
Before increasing the rent, landlords are required to give at least 30 days’ notice.
Housing Discrimination in Iowa
Protected Groups: The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability. These rules do not apply to some owner-occupied houses or homes occupied by religious organizations.
Discriminatory Acts and Penalties: Housing discrimination cases in Iowa are handled by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. The following behaviors may be interpreted as discriminatory when directed at a member of a protected group:
- Refusing to rent or buy on a bona fide offer
- Offering different terms, conditions, or privileges
- Falsely claiming a unit is unavailable
- Publishing advertisements that encourage or discourage a group of people from applying
- Refusing to provide certain financial services
- Coercing or intimidating tenants out of exercising their housing rights
- Refusing to allow certain types of guests (even those not in a protected class)
Those wishing to file a complaint can do so on the Iowa Civil Rights Commission’s website here. The Commission publishes some decisions so you can see what kind of penalties are imposed.
Additional Landlord Tenant Regulations in Iowa
In addition to having laws that address general issues like repairs and security deposits, most states, including Iowa, grant rights and responsibilities about things like lock changes and a landlord’s right to entry. See the topics below for more information.
Landlord Right To Entry in Iowa
Iowa landlords have the right to enter rental property for inspections, maintenance, and property showings. In most cases, they must provide at least 24 hours of advance notice before any entry. There’s no requirement for notice, or permission, when there’s an emergency.
Rent Collection and Related Fees in Iowa
The following laws apply to the collection of rent and related fees:
- Grace Period: Landlords are not required to provide a grace period for the payment of rent before charging a late fee
- Maximum Late Fee: Depends on the monthly rent payment:
- Rent below $700: $12/day (up to $60)
- Rent over $700: $20/day (up to $100)
- Rent Payment Methods: There is no state law governing which payment methods landlords may or may not accept for the payment of rent
- Rent Receipt: Not required
Small Claims Court in Iowa
Most disputes between landlords and tenants are handled in Small Claims Court, which is an informal process designed to be quicker and simpler than higher courts. For example, disputes regarding the return of security deposits are typically handled in Small Claims Court.
Landlords and tenants can file cases in Small Claims Court to settle minor disputes without hiring an attorney if the amount claimed is less than $6,500. Small claims are filed in the county where the rental property is located. The process takes approximately two to three months.
Mandatory Disclosures in Iowa
Iowa landlords are required to make the following mandatory disclosures:
- Lead-Based Paint: Landlords who own properties made before 1978 must provide information about lead paint concentrations used in the building
- Managers and Agents: Landlords must provide tenants with the names and addresses of everyone involved in owning and managing the property
- Shared Utility Meter: Landlords must explain all utility rates before executing a lease
- Environmental Liability: Landlords must disclose if the property appears on the “Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System,” also known as the CERCLA system
Changing the Locks in Iowa
Iowa law does not regulate a tenant changing locks, so it’s allowed unless the terms of the rental agreement say otherwise. Landlords can’t unilaterally change locks on their tenants, as this is considered a form of illegal “self help” eviction.
Additional Resources for Iowa Renters
Many cities in Iowa have their own landlord-tenant laws in addition to the state requirements. Check your local county and municipality for additional regulations, and see the resources below for general information.
Fair Housing Guide – This handbook, published by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, breaks down and applies all of the state’s civil rights laws that govern housing and the prevention of discrimination therein.
Small Claims Court Primer – This digital resource can help both landlords and tenants quickly understand the limitations of Iowa’s small claims court system, as well as the best ways to go about filing a case.
Legislative Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law – This guide effectively covers every dimension of landlord-tenant laws currently on the books in Iowa.
Sources
- 1 In the Matter of Ongoing Provisions for Coronavirus / COVID-19 Impact On Court Services, Iowa. Supr. Ct., May 22, 2020 (order amended March 12, 2021)
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Any plaintiff bringing an FED [i.e. eviction] action under chapter 648 for nonpayment of rent after the date of this order shall submit a CARES Act verification in a form approved by this court. This requirement shall continue in effect until further order of this court.
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