Iowa Eviction Notice Forms

An Iowa eviction notice form for nonpayment of rent is a written document that states a tenant has 3 days to pay the rent or to vacate the premises. Additionally, there are other notice forms for other possible grounds for eviction in Iowa.

Read further to learn about what information is required on an eviction notice for it to be valid, legally acceptable ways of delivering notices, and types of notices for all possible grounds for eviction.

Information Required for All Iowa Notices

The information required on an Iowa eviction notice varies based on the reason for the eviction; however, it’s still a good idea to include:

• The date the tenancy will terminate
• The reason for the eviction
• The tenant’s name and contact information

Acceptable Ways of Delivering Notices

In the state of Iowa, landlords can deliver an eviction notice by any of the following methods :

• Giving it to the tenant in person
• Leaving the notice with someone at the rental unit over the age of 18 AND getting a signature and date acknowledging delivery of the notice
• Posting a copy on the primary entrance door of the rental unit AND mailing a copy via certified and regular mail

Note that certified mail is only used if the notice is posted at the rental unit.

Types of Eviction Notices

Each possible ground for eviction has its own process and notice requirements.

3-Day Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of Rent

A landlord is allowed to evict a tenant for failing to pay rent on time.

According to Iowa law, rent is considered late the day after it’s due; grace periods (if any) are addressed in the rental agreement.

Once rent is past due, the landlord must provide tenants with a 3-Day Notice to Pay if the landlord wants to file an eviction action with the court. This notice gives the tenant the option to pay the past due amount in full within 3 days in order to avoid eviction.

If the tenant does not pay the rent due by the end of the notice period and remains on the property, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

The Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of Rent should include :

• The total amount of past-due rent owed
• The date payment in full is due
• That the rental agreement will be terminated if the rent payment is not received by the deadline given in the notice

Get the downloadable 3-Day Eviction Notice for Nonpayment of Rent form template below (.pdf direct link).

3/7-Day Eviction Notice for Non-Compliance

A tenant can be evicted in Iowa if they do not uphold their responsibilities under the terms of a written lease/rental agreement.

Iowa landlords must provide tenants with a 7-Day Notice to Comply, giving the tenant 7 days to correct the issue in order to avoid eviction.

Typical lease violations under this category could include things like damaging the rental property, having too many people residing in the rental unit, and having a pet when there’s a no-pet policy.

The notice should include :

• The specific lease violation(s)
• What the tenant can do to remedy the violation
• The date the lease will terminate if the tenant doesn’t comply within the deadline

If the tenant has not corrected the issue by the deadline in the notice to comply, the landlord must give an additional notice, a 3-Day Notice to Quit, giving the tenant 3 days to move out of the rental unit.

If the tenant remains on the property after the second notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 3/7-Day Eviction Notice for Noncompliance form template below (.pdf direct link).

3/10/30-Day Lease Termination Notice for “At-Will” Tenants

In the state of Iowa, if tenants “hold over,” or stay in the rental unit after the rental term has expired, then the landlord must give tenants notice before evicting them. This can include tenants without a written lease and week-to-week and month-to-month tenants.

Often this type of eviction applies to tenants who are at the end of their lease and the landlord doesn’t want to renew.

The amount of time required in the notice depends on the type of tenancy.

• Week-to-week – If rent is paid on a week-to-week basis, a landlord must provide the tenant with a 10-Day Notice to Quit.
• Month-to-month – If rent is paid on a month-to-month basis, a landlord must provide the tenant with a 30-Day Notice to Quit.
• Longer than month-to-month – If the tenancy is for any period greater than month-to-month, a landlord must provide the tenant with a 30-Day Notice to Quit.

The notice must include the date the tenancy will terminate.

If the remains on the rental property after the first notice period expires, the landlord must give an additional notice, a 3-Day Notice to Quit, giving the tenant 3 days to move out of the rental unit.

If the tenant remains on the property after the second notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 3/10/30-Day Lease Termination Notice form template below (.pdf direct link).

3/7-Day Eviction Notice for Material Health / Safety Violation

A tenant can be evicted in Iowa if they violate a health, building, safety, or housing code. In these instances, the landlord must provide the tenant with a 7-Day Notice to Comply, giving the tenant 7 days to correct the issue in order to avoid eviction.

Examples of material health/safety violations could include letting trash pile up inside the rental unit, providing a harbor for rodents or bugs, or even things like damaging the electrical wiring in the rental unit.

The notice should include :

• The specific health/safety violation(s)
• What the tenant can do to remedy the violation
• The date the lease will terminate if the tenant doesn’t comply within the deadline

If the tenant has not corrected the issue by the deadline in the notice to comply, the landlord must give an additional notice, a 3-Day Notice to Quit, giving the tenant 3 days to move out of the rental unit.

If the tenant remains on the property after the second notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Get the downloadable 3/7-Day Eviction Notice for Material Health/Safety Violation form template below (.pdf direct link).

3-Day Eviction Notice for Illegal Activity

Tenants who are involved in illegal activity must be given 3 days’ written notice before the landlord can proceed with an eviction action.

Tenants may also be evicted if their guests or other occupants in the rental unit are involved in illegal activity, even if the tenant wasn’t specifically involved in the activity.

In Iowa, illegal activity includes :

• Physical assault/threat of physical assault
• Illegal use of firearm/other weapon
• Possession of illegal firearm
• Threat to illegally use a firearm
• Possession of a controlled substance

Note that committing any of the above within 1,000 feet of the rental unit will also get the tenant evicted.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

The eviction notice should include the reason for the eviction, and what the tenant can do to avoid eviction if someone other than the tenant is involved in illegal activity or is a “clear and present” danger to others.

Get the downloadable 3-Day Eviction Notice for Illegal Activity form template below (.pdf direct link).