In Iowa, a landlord’s obligation for providing a habitable living space is primarily governed by Iowa Stat. § 562.17. This legal requirement, commonly known as the “implied warranty of habitability,” also outlines the rights of tenants when repairs are not made in a timely manner.
| Quick Facts | Answer |
| Landlord Responsibilities | Hot/Cold Water, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Sanitation Facilities, Smoke Detector, Trash Can |
| Time Limit for Repairs | 7 Days |
| Tenant Recourse Options |
|
Applicable Dwelling Types in Iowa
The implied warranty of habitability in Iowa does not apply to all types of dwellings. See the table below for which are and aren’t included.
| Dwelling Type | Landlord/Tenant Laws Apply? |
| Single family | Yes |
| Multi-family | Yes |
| Fraternities/Sororities/Clubs | No |
| RV parks | Not specifically addressed |
| Mobile home parks | Not specifically addressed |
| Condos | Only if person living in condo is renting |
| Hotels/Motels | No |
A landlord must keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and clean condition.
Landlord Responsibilities in Iowa
The following chart lists possible landlord responsibilities when it comes to habitability. Not all of them are requirements in Iowa, as indicated below.
Note: Some of the below items may not be addressed at the state level but may be addressed on a county or city level. Check your local housing codes to see which additional requirements may apply.
| Habitability Issue | Landlord Responsibility? |
| Provide windows and doors that are in good repair. | Not specifically addressed |
| Ensure the roof, walls, etc., are completely waterproofed and there are no leaks. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide hot and cold running water. | Yes |
| Provide working HVAC equipment. | Yes |
| Provide working plumbing and electrical wiring/outlets/ lighting. | Yes |
| Provide working gas lines if used for utilities/cooking | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide working sanitation facilities (bathtub/shower, toilet). | Yes |
| Provide a trash can (for trash pickup services). | Yes |
| Ensure that any stairs and railings are safe. | Not specifically addressed |
| Ensure that all floors are in good condition and safe. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide fire exits that are usable, safe, and clean. | Not specifically addressed |
| Ensure storage areas, including garages and basements, do not house combustible materials. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide working smoke detectors | Yes |
| Provide a mailbox. | No |
| Provide working wiring for one telephone jack. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide working kitchen appliances. | No |
| Provide working carbon monoxide detector. | Yes |
| Provide a working washer/dryer. | No |
Environmental Hazards
If a rental property is located on a site that was contaminated by pollutants or was a former hazardous waste dump site per the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Superfund” list, landlords are required to disclose that fact to prospective tenants.
Repairs, Recourse & Retaliation in Iowa
If a rental property is in violation of the implied warranty of habitability in Iowa, state laws outline how the repair process works, what tenants can do if repairs aren’t made, and how tenants are protected against retaliating landlords.
Requesting Repairs in Iowa
Iowa tenants must request repairs by giving the landlord written notice of the issue that needs fixing. To reserve the relevant legal options, the tenant must also state actions they might take if the landlord does not make timely repairs, such as canceling the lease altogether.
An example of language a tenant might use to state these intentions is: “If the issue isn’t fixed, the renter may exercise his right to cancel the rental agreement seven or more days from today.”
Renter’s Rights if Repairs Aren’t Made in Iowa
Renters in Iowa have the right to repairs for issues that affect health and safety, unless they caused the issue themselves. The landlord gets seven days after proper written 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. Read More
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 one of the following protected actions in the past year:
- Complaining to the landlord or government about habitability of the premises.
- Participating in a tenant organization.
There’s an exception in Iowa law for non-retaliatory, good-faith motivations. For example, a proportionate increase in rent following an increase in property tax isn’t retaliation.
Tenant can respond to retaliation by suing for quiet enjoyment of the property, and can recover attorney fees, plus expenses associated with the retaliation.
