Iowa Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Late Fees & Landlord Entry (2026)
What Iowa law says about the clauses that matter most in a residential lease. Data as of 2026-10-20.
Main statute: Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Iowa Code ch. 562A)
Security deposits
- Max
- 2 months' rent. The deposit must be held in a federally insured bank, savings and loan or credit union account, not mixed with the landlord's own money.
- Return deadline days
- 30 days
- Itemization required
- Yes
- Interest required
- No for the first five years of a tenancy: interest earned in that period belongs to the landlord.
Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12(1)-(4)
Calculate your Iowa deposit return deadline
Late fees
- Rule
- Rent up to $700/month: late fee capped at $12 per day and $60 per month. Rent over $700/month: capped at $20 per day and $100 per month.
Source: Iowa Code § 562A.9(4)
Check if your Iowa late fee is legal
Landlord entry
- Notice
- At least 24 hours' notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable. Entry without consent is allowed in an emergency. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, repair or show the unit; the landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenant.
Source: Iowa Code § 562A.19
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Tenant
- 30 days' written notice before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week)
- Landlord
- 30 days' written notice before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week)
Source: Iowa Code § 562A.34(1)-(2)
Rent increases
- Rule
- Written notice at least 30 days before the increase takes effect, and the increase cannot take effect before the current lease term (or its renewal/extension) ends.
- Statewide rent control
- No; Iowa cities may not adopt or enforce limits on the amount of rent for private residential property (Iowa Code § 364.3(9)).
Repairs & habitability
- Rule
- Landlord must comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety, make repairs to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep supplied electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning facilities and appliances in safe working order, provide garbage receptacles and removal, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and heat. For a material breach the tenant may give written notice that the lease ends in at least 7 days unless the landlord fixes it within those 7 days.
Retaliation
- Rule
- Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A good-faith complaint within the prior year creates a presumption of retaliation. The tenant can recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
Source: Iowa Code § 562A.36
Clauses often unenforceable in Iowa
- Waiving the tenant's rights or remedies under the Act (562A.11(1)(a); exception for single-family homes on agricultural land in unincorporated areas)
- Authorizing anyone to confess judgment against the tenant (562A.11(1)(b))
- Agreeing to pay the other party's attorney fees (562A.11(1)(c))
- Limiting the landlord's liability or making the tenant indemnify the landlord (562A.11(1)(d))
- Security deposit over 2 months' rent (562A.12(1))
- Late fee above $12/day and $60/month (rent up to $700) or $20/day and $100/month (rent over $700) (562A.9(4))
Notes
Deposit: within 30 days after the tenancy ends AND the tenant gives a mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return it or give a written statement of the specific reasons for any withholding; deductions are limited to unpaid rent/charges, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and costs of recovering possession from a bad-faith holdover. Missing the 30-day statement forfeits the right to withhold anything. The landlord carries the burden of proof. Bad-faith retention: punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent plus actual damages. If no address is given within one year, the deposit reverts to the landlord (562A.12). Before the lease starts the landlord must disclose in writing the manager's and owner's (or agent's) names and addresses, explain utility rates and charges, and disclose if the property is on the federal EPA CERCLIS list (562A.13). If a landlord willfully uses a lease with provisions known to be prohibited, the tenant may recover actual damages, up to 3 months' rent and attorney fees (562A.11(3)).
Common lease red flags, explained
General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.