Landlord laws
Iowa landlord-tenant law
Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, Iowa Code ch. 562A, plus §§ 364.3 and 216.8 (official text, legis.iowa.gov, Iowa Code 2026)
Last verified Oct 2026
General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.
| Topic | Rule (plain English) | Statute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | A security deposit may not exceed 2 months' rent. | Iowa Code § 562A.12(1) | Verified |
| Deposit return deadline | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and you get the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, return the deposit or give a written statement of the specific reasons for withholding any of it. If you withhold for damage, describe it. Allowed deductions are unpaid rent and other amounts due, restoring the unit beyond ordinary wear and tear, and certain possession costs. If you miss the deadline, you forfeit the right to withhold anything. | Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)–(4) | Verified |
| Deposit holding and interest | Hold deposits in a federally insured bank, savings and loan, or credit union, and don't mix them with personal funds. A trust account may bear interest, but interest earned during the first 5 years of a tenancy belongs to the landlord. | Iowa Code § 562A.12(2) | Verified |
| Late fee cap and grace period | Rent of $700/month or less: late fee capped at $12 a day and $60 a month. Rent over $700/month: capped at $20 a day and $100 a month. The statute sets no grace period. | Iowa Code § 562A.9(4) | Verified |
| Landlord entry notice | Except in an emergency or where impracticable, give at least 24 hours' notice and enter only at reasonable times. | Iowa Code § 562A.19 | Verified |
| Rent increase notice | Give each tenant written notice of a rent increase at least 30 days before it takes effect. It can't take effect before the current lease, renewal or extension expires. | Iowa Code § 562A.13(5) | Verified |
| Rent control status | Rent control is preempted. A city may not limit the rent charged for private residential property. | Iowa Code § 364.3(9) | Verified |
| Eviction notice: nonpayment | Give a written notice of nonpayment and your intent to terminate if rent isn't paid within 3 days. | Iowa Code § 562A.27(2) | Verified |
| Eviction notice: lease violation | For a material noncompliance, give written notice that the lease ends at least 7 days after receipt unless the breach is remedied within 7 days. If the same act recurs within 6 months, you may terminate on at least 7 days' written notice without a cure. | Iowa Code § 562A.27(1) | Verified |
| Required disclosures | At or before move-in, disclose in writing the name and address of the manager and of an owner or agent for service and notices, and keep it current. Before signing, fully explain utility rates, charges and services unless the tenant pays the utility directly. Also disclose in writing if the property is on the EPA's CERCLIS (Superfund) list. For pre-1978 housing, give the federal lead-paint disclosure (40 CFR 745.113). | Iowa Code § 562A.13; 40 CFR 745.113 | Verified |
| Fair housing beyond federal law | Iowa adds creed and sexual orientation. Gender identity is not listed in the current (2026) Code text. | Iowa Code § 216.8 | Verified |
Last verified Oct 2026 · Sources are official state legislature sites. Federal rules also apply.
Tools for Iowa landlords
Late fee calculator
Model grace periods and fees.
Open →Prorated rent calculator
Mid-month move-ins.
Open →Rent increase calculator
New rent and annual impact.
Open →General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.