Iowa 30 Day Notice To Vacate

Last Updated: March 30, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

An Iowa 30 Day Notice to Vacate is a letter that complies with state legal requirements to terminate a month-to-month lease, a tenancy of longer than month-to-month or for tenants with no written lease that pay rent monthly. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least thirty (30) calendar days before the date of termination.

When To Use an Iowa 30 Day Notice to Vacate

An Iowa 30 Day Notice To Vacate terminates the following types of tenancy:

  • A month-to-month or longer tenancy
  • An expired lease
  • A rental with no written lease where the tenant pays rent on a monthly basis

Some types of Iowa lease termination notice may allow different reasons for termination, or different notice periods. This may also apply to an eviction notice issued because of a lease or legal violation.

How To Write an Iowa 30 Day Notice To Vacate

To help ensure the legal compliance of a Notice To Vacate:

  1. Use the full name of the receiving parties, and address of record, if known
  2. Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
  3. Fill in the full address of the rental premises
  4. Provide updated/current address and phone number information
  5. Print name and sign the notice
  6. Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery, along with printed name and signature

It is easy to lose an otherwise justified legal action because of improper notice. Check carefully to ensure enough time after notice is delivered, not when it’s sent.

How To Serve an Iowa 30 Day Notice To Vacate

Iowa has complicated laws for delivery of a Notice To Vacate, with different standards for landlords and tenants and different rules for different types of termination. The following rules cover most rental situations. In all cases, mailed notice extends a notice period by four (4) calendar days, to account for variable delivery times.

Delivering a Notice To Vacate to a Tenant in Iowa

Iowa landlords may deliver a lease termination notice to a tenant by any of the following methods:

  1. Hand delivery to the tenant
  2. Hand delivery to the tenant’s spouse, if a reasonable person has cause to believe they live with the tenant
  3. Hand delivery to a person residing at the premises who is at least 18 years old (may be a roommate, family member, or manager/proprietor, if the residence is a rooming house, hotel, club or apartment building)
  4. Other form of delivery to the tenant, evidenced by an acknowledgment of delivery that is signed and dated by a resident of the dwelling unit who is at least 18 years of age
  5. Posting on the primary entrance door of the dwelling unit, PLUS mailing by both regular mail AND certified mail to the tenant’s dwelling or last known address

Delivering a Notice To Vacate to a Landlord in Iowa

Iowa tenants may deliver a lease termination notice to a landlord by any of the following methods:

  1. Hand delivery to the landlord
  2. Hand delivery to the landlord’s spouse, if a reasonable person has cause to believe they live with the landlord
  3. Other form of delivery to the landlord or an agent, evidenced by a signed and dated acknowledgment of delivery
  4. Delivery to an employee/agent at the landlord’s business office
  5. Delivery by regular AND certified mail to the landlord’s business address of record
  6. Any other method of deliver that results in the landlord actually receiving the notice

note
In almost all cases, notice is legally served when it is received by the other party, NOT when it’s sent. Check specified date of termination carefully to ensure compliance with the legal requirements for a notice period.

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