Renting out a room is about more than just filling a space in your home and generating extra income. It’s also about setting clear boundaries and expectations in a shared house, similar to any other lease agreement. A solid Iowa room rental agreement puts those expectations in writing early on to avoid confusion and disputes later.
This room rental agreement in Iowa outlines important aspects of the rental relationship, including disclosures, fees, and more. Below, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know when renting out a room in your home.
Room Rental Laws
Room rental agreements must follow Iowa landlord-tenant law, which applies to all rental relationships in the state. These laws detail important aspects of your room rental agreement, such as:
- Security deposits
- Rent and fees
- Access and privacy
- Maintenance and habitability
- Lease terms and termination
- Eviction and breaches
As a landlord, you have flexibility in choosing the type of room rental agreement in Iowa that’s right for both you and your tenant.
Different Types of Room Rental Agreements in Iowa
Landlords can choose from various arrangements for their Iowa room rental agreement.
Verbal agreement: An informal, spoken arrangement between you and your tenant. We don’t recommend this type of agreement, because it’s difficult to enforce if issues arise.
Fixed-term lease: A fixed-term lease runs for a set period, usually 1 year. This type of agreement is popular among landlords who prefer reliability because the rental agreement remains in effect for the duration of the term.
Month-to-month lease: A month-to-month lease, or tenancy at will, is a good option if either you or your tenant needs a little extra flexibility. These agreements automatically renew each month until either you or your tenant gives notice to terminate.
Required Landlord Disclosures
In Iowa, you must disclose certain information to your tenant before they move in. These disclosures contain important information designed to keep everyone on the same page and prevent disputes.
Lead-based paint: For any home built before 1978, you must disclose any known information about lead-based paint and its hazards and provide the required EPA pamphlet.
Landlord identification: You must include the landlord’s name and contact information in your room rental agreement in Iowa (Iowa Code § 562A.13).
Shared utilities: If the rented room shares a utility meter with the rest of the house, you must explain how you will divide utility charges (Iowa Code § 562A.13).
“Superfund” sites: You must tell your tenant if your home is in the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System (Iowa Code § 562A.13).
Security Deposit Rules
Iowa sets clear rules for collecting and returning security deposits.
Maximum security deposit: Iowa law allows you to collect up to 2 months’ rent as a security deposit (Iowa Code § 562A.12).
Pet deposits: Iowa law does not specifically regulate pet deposits, so you can charge one as long as it is a reasonable amount and you clearly state it in your lease (Iowa Code § 562A.12).
Security deposit receipt: You are not required to issue a receipt for your tenant’s security deposit payment (Iowa Code § 562A.12).
Deduction tracking: If you deduct any funds from a tenant’s security deposit to cover damages, you must supply a written statement outlining each of the charges (Iowa Code § 562A.12).
Security deposit return: You must return the tenant’s security deposit, minus any deductions, within 30 days of the lease termination (Iowa Code § 562A.12).
Rent Payment Rules
Iowa also has clear rules surrounding rent payments. Clearly outlining these rules helps avoid confusion in a shared home.
Late rent fees: Iowa law allows landlords to charge a fee for late rent; however, the rent amount sets how much this fee can be. For rent of $700 or less, you can charge $12 per day. For rent more than $700, $20 per day is acceptable (Iowa Code § 562A.9).
Right to withhold rent: In Iowa, tenants may withhold rent after giving notice to cover essential repairs not made by the landlord (Iowa Code § 562A.27).
Grace period: Iowa law does not require landlords to offer your tenants a grace period. Rent is due on the date specified in your lease agreement (Iowa Code ch. 562A).
Pet rent: You must clearly outline all pet fees, such as pet rent and deposits, in your Iowa room rental agreement (Iowa Code § 562A.9).
Rent Payment Increase Rules
Iowa does not have rent control or rent stabilization laws, allowing landlords to raise rents as they see fit. However, there are still certain guidelines you must follow.
Rent payment increase frequency: Rent control and stabilization laws do not exist in Iowa, meaning you can raise the rent as needed, but you must give written notice first. For fixed-term leases, you can increase the rent at the end of the term. For month-to-month leases, Iowa law requires 30 days’ written notice and 90 days’ written notice if the home is in a mobile home park (Iowa Code § 562A.34).
Rent payment increase maximum: Iowa does not limit how much you can raise the rent.
Rent control/stabilization: There are no rent control or rent stabilization laws in Iowa (Iowa Code §§ 562A.9, 562A.34).
Iowa Room Rental Agreement Breaches
Knowing what the law says about breaches of Iowa room rental agreements helps you respond legally and efficiently.
Failure to pay: If your tenant misses a rent payment, you may issue a 3-day Notice to Pay before terminating the room rental agreement in Iowa (Iowa Code § 562A.27).
Lease violations: For other lease violations, you may issue a written notice to remedy the violation or face eviction (Iowa Code § 562A.27).
Self-help evictions: In Iowa, self-help evictions are illegal. All evictions should follow the legal process (Iowa Code § 562A.33).
Terminating an Iowa Room Rental Agreement
When it comes to terminating a room rental agreement in Iowa, the rules depend on the type of agreement you have in place. Here’s what you need to know.
Fixed-term: A fixed-term room rental agreement in Iowa terminates on the date stated in the lease. Occasionally, a tenant may terminate their lease early without penalty if they meet a qualifying condition, such as active-duty military service, landlord harassment, or domestic violence (Iowa Code §§ 562A.27, 562A.15).
Month-to-month: To end a month-to-month room rental, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days’ written notice (Iowa Code § 562A.34).
Tenant’s right to terminate: Tenants may terminate their room rental agreement Iowa early if they face certain life events, such as active duty military service, landlord harassment, or domestic violence.
Room abandonment: If your tenant abandons their room before the end of the lease term, you should attempt to re-rent the room to help mitigate losses (Iowa Code § 562A.29).
Landlord Access Laws
If you need to gain access to your tenant’s room, for whatever reason, Iowa law sets the notice you must give before entering.
Advance notice: For routine maintenance or repairs, you must give your tenant at least 24 hours’ notice before entering the room (Iowa Code § 562A.19).
Immediate access: In case of an emergency, you may enter the property without giving notice.
Landlord harassment: Entering the room without giving the required notice or without good cause is considered harassment. In these cases, your tenant can often break their lease early and without penalty (Iowa Code § 562A.15).
Lease Agreement Renewal and Termination
Iowa law also helps determine the renewal and termination of your room rental agreement.
Required renewals: Landlords are not required to renew an Iowa room rental agreement (Iowa Code § 562A.34).
Required notice: If you do not intend to renew your tenant’s room rental agreement Iowa, you must give notice in some cases. For fixed-term leases, you do not have to give any notice. For month-to-month agreements, however, the required notice is 30 days (Iowa Code § 562A.34).
Month-to-month considerations: An Iowa month-to-month lease agreement renews each month until one party gives the proper notice to terminate. To terminate a tenancy at will, either you or your tenant must give at least 30 days’ written notice.
Room Rental Agreement Iowa FAQs
What to include in an Iowa room rental agreement?
For an Iowa room rental agreement, you should include key details, such as the rent amount and due date, security deposit terms, lease length, house rules, shared space use, utilities, maintenance responsibilities, guest and pet policies, and move-out requirements.
How do I legally rent out a room?
To legally rent out a room in Iowa, you must follow state and local codes. Create a written room rental agreement in Iowa using property management software that provides the required disclosures for you and your tenant to sign.
How to make an Iowa room rental agreement?
Use a simple Iowa room rental agreement template from a trusted landlord software. Choose a printable PDF you can fill out, customize with your rent terms, house rules, and disclosures. Then, have both parties sign and keep copies for your records.
