Iowa landlord and tenant rules

Security deposits in Iowa

Iowa limits security deposits to 2 months' rent. The deposit must be returned 30 days after termination of the tenancy AND receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions; return the deposit or furnish a written statement of the specific reasons for withholding, with an itemised list of any deductions. No interest is owed on the deposit under state law. Deposits must be held in a federally insured bank, savings and loan, or credit union and not commingled with the landlord's personal funds; any interest earned during the first five years of a tenancy belongs to the landlord (statute is silent after five years). A landlord who fails to furnish the written statement within 30 days forfeits the right to withhold anything; bad-faith retention carries punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent. If the tenant provides no address within one year, the deposit reverts to the landlord. Read from the official Iowa Code 2026 PDF. Full deposit rules and move-out checklist.

Late fees in Iowa

Iowa caps late fees on a sliding scale. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts. Calculate the maximum fee.

Notice periods in Iowa

A Iowa landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. A rent increase needs 30 days’ notice. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction. Calculate the effective date of a notice.

Deposit interest in Iowa

• Iowa: Interest the account actually earns, but only after the first five years. Every Iowa landlord, but the first five years of interest belong to the landlord. Tenants receive interest earned after year five.

Sources

• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.12.pdf
• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.9.pdf
• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.34.pdf
• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.27.pdf
• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.13.pdf