Home · Landlord-tenant rules · Iowa
Deposit, notice, and late-fee figures cited to the state statute.
| Rule | Rule text |
|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | A landlord shall not demand or receive a security deposit in an amount or value in excess of two months' rent. Iowa Code § 562A.12. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Deposit return deadline | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord shall return the rental deposit or furnish a written statement of the specific reason for withholding any of it. If any of the deposit is withheld to restore the unit, the statement shall specify the nature of the damages. Iowa Code § 562A.12. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Notice to end a tenancy | Either party may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by written notice given at least 10 days before the termination date. Either party may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date in the notice. A tenancy longer than month to month may be terminated by written notice given at least 30 days before the end of the term. Iowa Code § 562A.34. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Notice before entry | Except in an emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice of intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Iowa Code § 562A.19. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Late fee | If rent does not exceed $700 a month, a rental agreement shall not provide a late fee above $12 a day or $60 a month. If rent is greater than $700 a month, the late fee shall not exceed $20 a day or $100 a month. Iowa Code § 562A.9. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Eviction notice | For a material noncompliance with the rental agreement, or a noncompliance with section 562A.17 that materially affects health and safety, the landlord may give written notice that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than 7 days after receipt if the breach is not remedied in 7 days. If substantially the same act or omission recurs within six months, the landlord may terminate on at least 7 days' written notice. If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant does not pay within 3 days after written notice of nonpayment and of the intention to terminate, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. Iowa Code § 562A.27. As of 2026-10-09. |
A landlord shall not demand or receive a security deposit in an amount or value in excess of two months' rent.
Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord shall return the rental deposit or furnish a written statement of the specific reason for withholding any of it. If any of the deposit is withheld to restore the unit, the statement shall specify the nature of the damages.
If rent does not exceed $700 a month, a rental agreement shall not provide a late fee above $12 a day or $60 a month. If rent is greater than $700 a month, the late fee shall not exceed $20 a day or $100 a month.
Figures are from Iowa statutes, retrieved 2026-10-09. Primary sources: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.12.pdf, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.34.pdf, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.19.pdf, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.9.pdf, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.27.pdf.
A landlord shall not demand or receive a security deposit in an amount or value in excess of two months' rent. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.12.pdf, as of 2026-10-09.
Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord shall return the rental deposit or furnish a written statement of the specific reason for withholding any of it. If any of the deposit is withheld to restore the unit, the statement shall specify the nature of the damages. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.12.pdf, as of 2026-10-09.
Either party may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by written notice given at least 10 days before the termination date. Either party may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date in the notice. A tenancy longer than month to month may be terminated by written notice given at least 30 days before the end of the term. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.34, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.34.pdf, as of 2026-10-09.
Except in an emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice of intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.19, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.19.pdf, as of 2026-10-09.
If rent does not exceed $700 a month, a rental agreement shall not provide a late fee above $12 a day or $60 a month. If rent is greater than $700 a month, the late fee shall not exceed $20 a day or $100 a month. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.9, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.9.pdf, as of 2026-10-09.
For a material noncompliance with the rental agreement, or a noncompliance with section 562A.17 that materially affects health and safety, the landlord may give written notice that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than 7 days after receipt if the breach is not remedied in 7 days. If substantially the same act or omission recurs within six months, the landlord may terminate on at least 7 days' written notice. If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant does not pay within 3 days after written notice of nonpayment and of the intention to terminate, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.27, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/562A.27.pdf, as of 2026-10-09.
Estimates for planning; not tax/legal advice.