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Iowa

Iowa Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Iowa.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Iowa

Sources last checked July 2026

Iowa allows a landlord to evict for nonpayment on just three days' written notice, while other lease violations affecting health and safety require seven days to cure under Iowa Code § 562A.27. A tenant who repeats the same violation within six months after curing it once can face a second seven-day notice with no further chance to fix it. Deposits are capped at two months' rent, returnable within 30 days under § 562A.12, and § 364.3(12)(a) bars any city from adopting rent control.

  • 3-day notice required before eviction for nonpayment of rent
  • 30-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies
  • No rent control — no statutory cap on rent increases
  • 30-day advance written notice required for rent increases
  • Security deposits capped at 2 months' rent
5 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Security Deposit Limits

Security Deposit Limits

What is the security deposit limit in Iowa?

Under Iowa Code § 562A.12, a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit exceeding two months' periodic rent. The deposit must be held in a federally insured bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, and may not be commingled with the landlord's personal funds. The landlord must return the deposit (or provide a written itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days after termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address. Failure to return within 30 days forfeits the landlord's right to withhold any portion. Bad-faith retention may result in punitive damages up to twice the monthly rental payment.

Iowa Code § 562A.12

Eviction Notice Requirements

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Iowa?

Iowa Code § 562A.27 establishes notice requirements before a landlord may terminate a tenancy and file for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide a 3-day written notice to pay or vacate. For material lease violations or conditions affecting health and safety, the landlord must provide a 7-day written notice specifying the breach and giving the tenant an opportunity to remedy the violation. If a tenant corrects the same type of violation within 6 months and then reoffends, the landlord may give a second 7-day notice to vacate without an opportunity to cure. Retaliatory evictions are prohibited under Iowa Code § 562A.36.

Iowa Code § 562A.27; Iowa Code § 562A.36

Rent Increase Notice Periods

Rent Increase Notice Periods

How much notice is required for rent increases in Iowa?

Under Iowa Code § 562A.13(5), landlords must provide at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. The effective date of the increase cannot be earlier than the expiration of the original rental agreement or any renewal. For month-to-month tenancies, the increase takes effect on the next rent due date after the 30-day notice period expires. Rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement specifically allows for it.

Iowa Code § 562A.13(5)

Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Is there rent control in Iowa?

Iowa does not impose any cap or limit on rent increases. Under Iowa Code § 364.3(12)(a), cities are expressly prohibited from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that sets the amount of rent for private residential property. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper notice, except increases may not be discriminatory or retaliatory.

Iowa Code § 364.3(12)(a)

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

What is the move-out notice requirement in Iowa?

Under Iowa Code § 562A.34, either a landlord or a tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by providing at least 30 days written notice prior to the next periodic rental date. For week-to-week tenancies, at least 10 days written notice is required. Neither party is required to state a reason for terminating a month-to-month tenancy. Fixed-term leases expire automatically at the end of the agreed term.

Iowa Code § 562A.34

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