Iowa Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Iowa, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Iowa. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | Iowa Code chapter 562A (the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law) sets no county, city or population limit on where it applies. Unless created to avoid the chapter, it does not govern residence at an institution incidental to detention or medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious or similar services; occupancy by a buyer under a contract of sale; occupancy by a member of a fraternal or social organization; transient occupancy in a hotel, motel or similar lodging; occupancy by an employee whose right to occupy depends on employment in and about the premises; occupancy by a condominium unit owner or a cooperative's proprietary-lease holder; premises used primarily for agricultural purposes; or nonprofit transitional housing for persons released from drug or alcohol treatment and housing for homeless persons. Iowa Code § 562A.5 |
| Security deposit limit | |
| Where deposits are held | The landlord must hold rental deposits for the tenant in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union insured by an agency of the federal government, and may not commingle them with the landlord's personal funds. Deposits may be held in a trust account, which may be a common trust account and may earn interest. Iowa Code § 562A.12(2) |
| Returning the deposit | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit or give a written statement of the specific reason for withholding any of it; if anything is withheld to restore the unit, the statement must specify the nature of the damage. A landlord who does not give the statement within that time forfeits all rights to withhold any part of the deposit. If no mailing address or instructions are given within one year after the tenancy ends, the deposit reverts to the landlord. Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a), (4) |
| Deposit deductions | Only amounts reasonably necessary to cover unpaid rent or other funds due under the rental agreement, to restore the unit to its condition at the start of the tenancy (ordinary wear and tear excepted), or to recover the costs of getting possession from a tenant who, not acting in good faith, failed to leave after noncompliance and notice under the chapter. In a dispute over the deposit, the landlord must prove the reason for withholding by a preponderance of the evidence. Iowa Code § 562A.12(3) |
| Interest on deposits | Interest earned on a rental deposit during the first five years of a tenancy belongs to the landlord. Iowa Code § 562A.12(2) |
| Landlord entry notice | At least 24 hours' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. The landlord may enter without the tenant's consent in an emergency. The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. Iowa Code § 562A.19 |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date specified in the notice, and a week-to-week tenancy by written notice given at least 10 days before the termination date specified in the notice. Unless the rental agreement fixes a definite term, the tenancy is week-to-week for a roomer who pays weekly rent and month-to-month in all other cases. Iowa Code §§ 562A.34(1), (2), 562A.9(5) |
| Rent-increase notice | At least 30 days' written notice of any rent increase. The increase may not take effect before the end of the original rental agreement or any renewal or extension of it. Iowa Code § 562A.13(5) |
| Late fees | If the rent is $700 a month or less, the rental agreement may not provide for a late fee over $12 a day or $60 in total a month. If the rent is more than $700 a month, the limit is $20 a day or $100 in total a month. No grace period in Iowa Code chapter 562A. Iowa Code § 562A.9(4); Iowa Code ch. 562A (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may end the rental agreement if the tenant does not pay within three days after a written notice of nonpayment stating that the agreement will end if rent is not paid in that time. A landlord who has given that notice and ended the tenancy may file an eviction action without a separate three-day notice to quit. Iowa Code §§ 562A.27(2), 648.3(1) |
| Rent control | Not allowed. Cities and counties may not adopt or enforce any ordinance limiting the amount of rent that can be charged for private residential or commercial property; this does not affect their right to manage and control residential property in which they have a property interest. Iowa Code §§ 364.3(9), 331.304(10) |
| Required landlord disclosures | The landlord must disclose in writing, at or before the start of the tenancy, the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner or a person authorized to act for the owner to receive legal papers, notices and demands; this information must be kept current. Before the rental agreement is signed, the landlord must fully explain utility rates, charges and services, unless the tenant pays the utility company directly. The landlord must disclose to each tenant in writing before the tenancy starts if the property is listed in the federal Environmental Protection Agency's comprehensive environmental response compensation and liability information system. Iowa Code § 562A.13(1), (2), (4), (6) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability and familial status. Creed and sexual orientation appear in Iowa's law but not in the federal list. Iowa Code § 216.8(1)(a); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Iowa listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Iowa?
Two months' rent. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Iowa landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit or give a written statement of the specific reason for withholding any of it; if anything is withheld to restore the unit, the statement must specify the nature of the damage. A landlord who does not give the statement within that time forfeits all rights to withhold any part of the deposit. If no mailing address or instructions are given within one year after the tenancy ends, the deposit reverts to the landlord. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Iowa landlord give before entering?
At least 24 hours' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. The landlord may enter without the tenant's consent in an emergency. The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Iowa?
Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date specified in the notice, and a week-to-week tenancy by written notice given at least 10 days before the termination date specified in the notice. Unless the rental agreement fixes a definite term, the tenancy is week-to-week for a roomer who pays weekly rent and month-to-month in all other cases. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Iowa?
At least 30 days' written notice of any rent increase. The increase may not take effect before the end of the original rental agreement or any renewal or extension of it. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Iowa landlord charge for late rent?
If the rent is $700 a month or less, the rental agreement may not provide for a late fee over $12 a day or $60 in total a month. If the rent is more than $700 a month, the limit is $20 a day or $100 in total a month. No grace period in Iowa Code chapter 562A. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Iowa landlord give when rent is unpaid?
If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may end the rental agreement if the tenant does not pay within three days after a written notice of nonpayment stating that the agreement will end if rent is not paid in that time. A landlord who has given that notice and ended the tenancy may file an eviction action without a separate three-day notice to quit. See the source in the table above.
Does Iowa have rent control?
Not allowed. Cities and counties may not adopt or enforce any ordinance limiting the amount of rent that can be charged for private residential or commercial property; this does not affect their right to manage and control residential property in which they have a property interest. See the source in the table above.
Rentals in Iowa listed by owners
There are no owner-listed rentals in Iowa on ListMyHomes.com right now. New listings appear here as landlords list.