IA · Researched October 7, 2026
Iowa follows the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Iowa Code chapter 562A). Deposits are capped at two months' rent and must be returned or itemized within 30 days, late fees have hard dollar caps, and evictions move fast: a 3-day notice for unpaid rent and a court hearing within about 8 days of filing. Managing rentals for others generally requires an Iowa real estate license, with a 2024 carve-out for unlicensed employees working under a broker.
Iowa's broker definition covers anyone who, for a fee, rents or leases real estate, collects rent, or prepares residential rental agreements for another person. Property managers working for owners need a license unless an exemption applies.
Owners and their full-time employees; resident managers who live on site and lease as part of their job; isolated rental transactions; attorneys; court fiduciaries. Since 2024, people with an ownership interest in the owning entity (or an affiliate), and nonlicensed employees of a broker who advertise, show, collect rent and deposits, and complete form leases under chapter 562A.
Brokers who handle trust funds must keep an interest-bearing common trust account at a federally insured institution, register it with the Commission, and send interest to the state housing trust fund. Individual property management accounts in the owner's name under a management agreement are exempt from the certification and audit consent rule.
You may not demand or receive a deposit greater than two months' rent. A payment that is only advance rent is not a rental deposit.
Return the deposit or send a written statement with the specific reasons for each deduction. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent or other money owed under the lease, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and costs of recovering possession from a tenant who did not leave in good faith. Missing the 30-day statement forfeits the right to withhold anything. Bad-faith retention can add punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent. If no address arrives within one year, the deposit reverts to the landlord.
Deposits may sit in a common trust account and may earn interest. Interest earned during the first five years of a tenancy belongs to the landlord. When you sell, transfer the deposit to the buyer and notify the tenant of the buyer's name and address, or return it.
These caps apply to the late fee written into the lease. Charging more makes the excess unenforceable.
Iowa law does not cap application or screening fees. Follow federal FCRA rules when you deny based on a consumer report.
An increase cannot take effect before the lease term, renewal or extension ends. There is no limit on the amount.
Cities may not adopt or enforce limits on rent for private residential property. Cities also cannot require landlords to accept federal Housing Choice Vouchers.
If rent is unpaid, serve a written notice of nonpayment and your intent to terminate if rent is not paid within 3 days. Serve by signed acknowledgment from an adult resident, personal service, or posting on the main door plus regular and certified mail. Mailed notice counts as served 4 days after mailing.
For a material lease violation or a health and safety violation, serve a written notice naming the breach and a termination date at least 7 days out. If the tenant fixes it in time, the lease continues. A repeat of the same breach within 6 months allows a 7-day termination with no cure. Threats like assault, illegal weapon use or drug possession allow a single 3-day notice to quit.
A month-to-month tenancy ends with written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice. A lease longer than month-to-month needs 30 days' written notice before the end of the term. Willful holdovers can owe actual damages and attorney fees.
After the notice period, file a forcible entry and detainer action in the county where the unit sits. The court sets the hearing no later than 8 days after filing, or up to 15 days if you ask. The tenant must be served at least 3 days before the hearing. If you win, the court issues an execution to remove the tenant within 3 days.
Chapter 562A covers abandonment of the unit itself: you must make reasonable efforts to re-rent at a fair rental. Chapter 555B covers abandoned mobile and manufactured homes. A specific statewide procedure for other personal property left behind was not found; use a court order and written notice before disposing of belongings.
Notice is not required in an emergency or when it is impracticable. You may enter during a tenant absence of more than 14 days as reasonably needed. Do not use access to harass the tenant.
Maintain electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems, appliances and elevators you supply. Provide running water, reasonable hot water and heat, trash receptacles and clean common areas. In a single-family home, a tenant may agree in writing to take on some duties if done in good faith. Retaliation for complaints is prohibited.
Before the tenancy starts, disclose in writing the name and address of the manager and of the owner or agent for notices and service. Explain utility rates and charges before signing unless the tenant pays the utility directly. Disclose if the property is on the EPA CERCLIS (Superfund) list. Federal lead paint disclosure applies to pre-1978 housing.
Gender identity was removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Act effective July 1, 2025, though federal law still bars sex discrimination. State law does not protect source of income, and cities cannot require landlords to accept vouchers.
New section 543B.7A lets nonlicensed employees of a broker advertise, show units, collect rent and deposits, and complete form leases. It also exempts people who manage rentals for an entity, or an affiliated entity, in which they hold an ownership interest.
State housing discrimination law no longer lists gender identity as a protected class. Federal Fair Housing Act sex discrimination rules still apply.
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With Julian Calvo, who works with property management companies at LeadSimple.
Compare with other states: security deposit limit, deposit return deadline, deposit interest and holding rules, late fees, application and screening fees, rent increase notice, rent control, notice for unpaid rent, notice for lease violations, ending a month-to-month, eviction timeline, abandoned property, landlord entry, repairs and habitability, required disclosures, state fair housing protections.