Iowa Eviction Notice Forms

Last Updated: May 15, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

An Iowa eviction notice form is a legal demand for a tenant to comply with the terms of the rental agreement or else move out of the premises. Iowa landlords may deliver an eviction notice because of unpaid rent, lease violations, or illegal activity on the rental property.

Types of Iowa Eviction Notice Forms

Notice Form Grounds Curable?
3 Day Notice To Quit Unpaid Rent Yes
7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate Lease Violation Yes
3 Day Notice of Termination Illegal Activity

(Clear & Present Danger)

No
7 Day Notice To Vacate Repeat Lease Violation No
30 Day Notice To Vacate Monthly / Longer Term Lease No

Iowa 3 Day Notice To Quit

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An Iowa 3 Day Notice To Quit evicts a tenant for nonpayment of rent. In Iowa, a landlord can file this notice the day after rent is due, with no grace period for the tenant. The tenant must pay all past due rent or else move out within three (3) calendar days.

warning
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.

Iowa 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate

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An Iowa 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate demands correction of a lease violation that is “curable,” i.e., the tenant may get a chance to fix the situation rather than be evicted. A curable lease violation might include failure to maintain health and safety on the rental property, interfering with the quiet enjoyment of neighbors, or refusal to allow lawful entry by the landlord.

The tenant must take appropriate corrective action or else move out within seven (7) calendar days of receiving notice.

note
For a repeat of the same similar lease violation within a 6-month period, the landlord may use the 7 Day Notice To Vacate and deny an opportunity for corrective action.

Iowa 3 Day Notice of Termination

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An Iowa 3 Day Notice of Termination evicts a tenant for an “incurable” lease violation, i.e., one which the tenant is not allowed to restore through corrective action. In particular, this notice evicts a tenant who is a clear and present danger to other persons on or within 1000 feet of the landlord’s property. The tenant is not given an opportunity for corrective action, and must move out within three (3) calendar days of receiving notice.

Iowa 7 Day Notice To Vacate

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An Iowa 7 Day Notice To Vacate evicts a tenant repeating a lease violation within a six (6) month period. Because it’s a repeat of the same violation, the tenant is not given an opportunity for corrective action, and must move out within seven (7) calendar days of receiving notice.

Iowa 30 Day Notice To Vacate

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An Iowa 30 Day Notice To Vacate terminates a month-to-month lease or a lease with a term longer than month-to-month, as well as an expired lease or a situation without a written lease. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least thirty (30) calendar days before the date of termination.

How To Write an Eviction Notice in Iowa

To help ensure the legal compliance of an eviction notice:

  1. Use the full name of the receiving parties, and address of record, if known
  2. Specify the basis upon which the tenancy will terminate and corrective action necessary, if applicable
  3. Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
  4. Fill in the full address of the rental premises
  5. Provide updated/current address and phone number information
  6. Print name and sign the notice
  7. 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 Calculate Expiration Date in Iowa

The “clock” for an eviction notice period starts “ticking” the day after the notice gets delivered (served). For example, to give at least 30 days of notice and begin court action as of June 30th, delivery of the eviction notice must be no later than May 31st. 

In most jurisdictions, if the last day of a notice period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. This is called the “next judicial day;” in other words, the next day a courthouse is open.

How To Serve an Eviction Notice in Iowa  

Iowa landlords may deliver an eviction 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

Mailed notice extends a notice period by four (4) calendar days, to account for variable delivery times.

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