Under Iowa law, if a written or oral rental agreement exists, or if payment is accepted as rent, landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, such as the right to timely rent payments and a livable dwelling.Note: These rights exist regardless of what the rental agreement says.
In Iowa, landlords legally can’t rent property out unless it meets basic health and safety requirements. Here is a list of amenities and how they relate to Iowa’s habitability requirements:
| Item | Has To Provide? | Has To Fix/Replace? |
|---|---|---|
| Heating/AC | Only Heating | Only Heating |
| Hot Water | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen Appliances | No | Only If Provided |
| Garbage Containers/Removal | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors | Yes | Yes |
| Mold | N/A | Yes |
| Pest Control | N/A | Yes |
If a property doesn’t provide the legally required amenities for habitable housing, a tenant can usually report the landlord to government authorities for unsafe living conditions. Read more
Landlords must perform necessary repairs in a timely manner. In Iowa, landlords must make repairs within seven days after getting written notice from tenants. If repairs aren’t made in a timely manner, Iowa tenants can sue for costs, or a court order to force the landlord to make repairs. They can also cancel the rental agreement, or make repairs and deduct from the rent, but they can’t unilaterally withhold rent. Read more
These are the most common reasons for pursuing eviction in Iowa:
Landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants as a form of retaliation or for discriminatory reasons.
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. [1]
It’s illegal for Iowa landlords to retaliate with raised rent, reduced services, or threatened eviction against tenants who have taken a protected action like reporting a landlord to government authorities for health and safety violations.
Collections and Holdings: The following laws apply to the collection and holding of security deposits:
Returns and Deductions: The following laws apply to the return of security deposits:
Notice Requirements: If a tenant wishes to break a lease then they must give the following amount of notice:
| Rent Payment Frequency | Notice Needed |
|---|---|
| Week-to-Week | 10 Days |
| Month-to-Month | 30 Days |
| Quarter-to-Quarter | No Statute |
| Year-to-Year | 30 Days |
Early Termination: Iowa tenants may legally break a lease for the following reasons:
If an Iowa tenant breaks their lease early, they are still liable for the rent for the remaining lease period. Landlords are legally required to make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit, and if they find a new tenant, the original tenant is then no longer liable to pay all remaining rent.
Landlords cannot keep the full security deposit because a tenant broke their lease. The landlord can make deductions for damages or unpaid rent, but the rest must be returned to the tenant.
Iowa does not have rent control and state law prohibits cities and towns from creating their own rent control laws.
Because Iowa does not have rent control, landlords can raise the rent by any amount, as often as they choose, but they cannot increase the rent during the lease term unless the lease agreement allows for it. Additionally, landlords cannot increase the rent out of discrimination of federally-protected classes or in retaliation.
Before increasing the rent, landlords are required to give at least 30 days’ notice.
Protected Groups: The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability. These rules do not apply to some owner-occupied houses or homes occupied by religious organizations.
Discriminatory Acts and Penalties: Housing discrimination cases in Iowa are handled by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. The following behaviors may be interpreted as discriminatory when directed at a member of a protected group:
Those wishing to file a complaint can do so on the Iowa Civil Rights Commission’s website here. The Commission publishes some decisions so you can see what kind of penalties are imposed.
In addition to having laws that address general issues like repairs and security deposits, most states, including Iowa, grant rights and responsibilities about things like lock changes and a landlord’s right to entry. See the topics below for more information.
Iowa landlords have the right to enter rental property for inspections, maintenance, and property showings. In most cases, they must provide at least 24 hours of advance notice before any entry. There’s no requirement for notice, or permission, when there’s an emergency.
The following laws apply to the collection of rent and related fees:
Most disputes between landlords and tenants are handled in Small Claims Court, which is an informal process designed to be quicker and simpler than higher courts. For example, disputes regarding the return of security deposits are typically handled in Small Claims Court.
Landlords and tenants can file cases in Small Claims Court to settle minor disputes without hiring an attorney if the amount claimed is less than $6,500. Small claims are filed in the county where the rental property is located. The process takes approximately two to three months.
Iowa landlords are required to make the following mandatory disclosures:
Iowa law does not regulate a tenant changing locks, so it’s allowed unless the terms of the rental agreement say otherwise. Landlords can’t unilaterally change locks on their tenants, as this is considered a form of illegal “self help” eviction.
Many cities in Iowa have their own landlord-tenant laws in addition to the state requirements. Check your local county and municipality for additional regulations, and see the resources below for general information.
Fair Housing Guide – This handbook, published by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, breaks down and applies all of the state’s civil rights laws that govern housing and the prevention of discrimination therein.
Small Claims Court Primer – This digital resource can help both landlords and tenants quickly understand the limitations of Iowa’s small claims court system, as well as the best ways to go about filing a case.
Legislative Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law – This guide effectively covers every dimension of landlord-tenant laws currently on the books in Iowa.
Any plaintiff bringing an FED [i.e. eviction] action under chapter 648 for nonpayment of rent after the date of this order shall submit a CARES Act verification in a form approved by this court. This requirement shall continue in effect until further order of this court.
Can a Tenant Change the Locks in Iowa? Iowa tenants are allowed to change their locks, if the rental agreement doesn't say otherwise. The landlord still has a right of access to the rental property, so it's always reasonable for tenants to provide copies of any new keys. Read more » What Are a Tenant’s Rights in Iowa? Iowa tenants have the right to quietly enjoy safe and habitable housing. If a landlord violates this right, tenants can cancel the rental agreement after only seven days. Tenants also have the option to sue, or to contract for repairs and deduct the cost from the rent. Read more » Is Iowa a “Landlord Friendly” State? Iowa is a fairly landlord-friendly state. There is no rent control, and landlords aren't strictly regulated when it comes to things like notice requirements. Read more » Can a Landlord Enter Without Permission in Iowa? Iowa landlords are allowed to enter rental property without permission when there's an emergency, or when the tenant has been gone from the property for more than half of a rental period (so, over 15 days for month-to-month rentals, for example). Read more »
