Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Iowa Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
This Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement is built with Iowa as the governing state. These are the Iowa landlord-tenant rules that most often bear on it, with the statute for each.
Iowa rules at a glance
| Security deposit limit | 2 months’ rentIowa Code §562A.12(1) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return | 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant’s mailing addressIowa Code §562A.12(3) |
| Late fees | Rent ≤ $700: max $12/day or $60/month · Rent > $700: max $20/day or $100/monthIowa Code §562A.9(4) |
| Nonpayment eviction notice | 3 days’ written notice to payIowa Code §562A.27(2) |
| Nonpayment of rent | The landlord gives written notice that the lease will end unless rent is paid within 3 days (§562A.27(2)). |
| Lease violations | A material noncompliance gets a 7-day notice to cure; a repeat of the same breach within six months can be terminated on 7 days’ notice without another chance to cure (§562A.27(1)). |
Security deposits in Iowa
An Iowa landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than two months’ rent (§562A.12(1)). The statute calls it a “rental deposit,” and it stays the tenant’s money while the landlord holds it.
- How it’s held — Deposits must be kept in a federally insured bank, savings and loan, or credit union and can’t be commingled with the landlord’s personal funds. A common trust account is allowed, and interest earned during the first five years of a tenancy belongs to the landlord (§562A.12(2)).
- Return deadline — Within 30 days of the tenancy ending and the landlord receiving the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit or send a written statement giving the specific reason for any amount withheld (§562A.12(3)).
- Allowed deductions — Only unpaid rent or other sums due under the lease, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and the cost of recovering possession from a tenant who fails to leave in bad faith. The landlord carries the burden of proving each deduction (§562A.12(3)).
- No forwarding address — If the tenant never supplies a mailing address within one year of the tenancy ending, the deposit reverts to the landlord (§562A.12(4)).
- Penalties — Missing the 30-day statement forfeits all right to withhold anything; bad-faith retention adds punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent on top of actual damages (§562A.12(4), (7)).
Rent, late fees & rent increases
Unless the lease says otherwise, rent is due at the start of each month, at the dwelling unit, without demand or notice (§562A.9(3)). Iowa is one of the few states that caps late fees at fixed dollar amounts.
- Late-fee cap — Where rent is $700 a month or less, a lease can’t provide for a late fee above $12 per day or $60 in total per month. Where rent is above $700, the limit is $20 per day or $100 per month (§562A.9(4)).
- Rent-increase notice — Every tenant must get written notice of a rent increase at least 30 days before it takes effect, and the increase can’t take effect before the current lease term (or renewal) expires (§562A.13(5)).
- Utilities — Unless the tenant pays the utility company directly, the landlord must fully explain utility rates, charges, and services to a prospective tenant before the lease is signed (§562A.13(4)).
- Rent control — Iowa bars cities and counties from adopting any ordinance limiting the rent charged for private residential property (§§364.3(9), 331.304(10)). Cities are also barred from requiring landlords to accept federal housing choice vouchers (§364.3(16)).
Ending an Iowa tenancy
Periodic tenancies end with written notice timed to the rental period. For a lease longer than month-to-month, either side must give 30 days’ written notice before the end of the term (§562A.34(3)).
| Week-to-week | 10 days before the termination date |
|---|---|
| Month-to-month | 30 days before the periodic rental date |
| Term longer than month-to-month | 30 days before the end of the term |
- Nonpayment of rent — The landlord gives written notice that the lease will end unless rent is paid within 3 days (§562A.27(2)).
- Lease violations — A material noncompliance gets a 7-day notice to cure; a repeat of the same breach within six months can be terminated on 7 days’ notice without another chance to cure (§562A.27(1)).
- Clear and present danger — For assault, illegal weapon use, or illegal drug possession on the premises, a single 3-day notice to quit is enough (§562A.27A).
- Serving notice — Iowa lists the approved methods — hand delivery, posting on the main entry door with the date posted, or mailing by both regular and certified mail, among others (§562A.8).
- Military — An active-duty servicemember with qualifying orders may terminate under the federal SCRA (50 U.S.C. §3955).
Iowa Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Iowa?
No more than two months’ rent (Iowa Code §562A.12(1)). The deposit must be held in a federally insured bank, savings and loan, or credit union and can’t be mixed with the landlord’s personal funds (§562A.12(2)).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Iowa?
Within 30 days once the tenancy has ended and the landlord has received the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions. The landlord must return the deposit or send a written statement of the specific reasons for any deduction; missing the deadline forfeits the right to withhold anything (§562A.12(3)–(4)).
What is the maximum late fee in Iowa?
It depends on the rent. For rent of $700 a month or less, the late fee can’t exceed $12 per day or $60 per month. For rent above $700, the cap is $20 per day or $100 per month (§562A.9(4)).
More Iowa landlord documents
- Iowa Residential Lease Agreement
- Iowa Eviction Notice
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Rent Increase Notice
- Iowa Notice to Vacate
- Iowa Application Approval Letter
- Iowa Application Denial Letter
- Iowa Background & Credit Check Authorization
- Iowa Rental Application
- Iowa Bed Bug Addendum
- Iowa Mold & Mildew Addendum
- Iowa No-Smoking Addendum
- Iowa Parking & Storage Addendum
- Iowa HOA & Community Rules Addendum
- Iowa Crime-Free Housing Addendum
- Iowa Utilities & Services Addendum
- Iowa Early Termination Addendum
- Iowa Lease Extension Addendum
- Iowa Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
- Iowa Military Clause (SCRA)
- Iowa Pet Addendum
- Iowa Cash for Keys Agreement
- Iowa Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
- Iowa Lease Renewal Agreement
- Iowa Notice of Non-Renewal
- Iowa Late Rent Notice
- Iowa Lease Violation Notice
- Iowa Notice of Entry
- Iowa Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Iowa Rent Receipt
- Iowa Rent Verification Letter
- Iowa Tenant Welcome Letter
- Iowa Property Management Agreement
- Iowa Commercial Lease
- Iowa Rent-to-Own Agreement
- Iowa Short-Term Rental Agreement
- Iowa Room Rental Agreement
- Iowa Roommate Agreement
- Iowa Spanish Lease Agreement
- Iowa Sublease Agreement
- Iowa Lease Amendment
Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement in other states
- Alabama Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Alaska Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Arizona Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Arkansas Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- California Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Colorado Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Connecticut Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Delaware Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Florida Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Georgia Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Hawaii Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Idaho Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Illinois Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Indiana Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Kansas Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Kentucky Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Louisiana Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Maine Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Maryland Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Massachusetts Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Michigan Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Minnesota Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Mississippi Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Missouri Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Montana Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Nebraska Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Nevada Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- New Hampshire Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- New Jersey Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- New Mexico Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- New York Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- North Carolina Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- North Dakota Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Ohio Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Oklahoma Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Oregon Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Pennsylvania Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Rhode Island Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- South Carolina Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- South Dakota Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Tennessee Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Texas Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Utah Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Vermont Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Virginia Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Washington Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- West Virginia Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Wisconsin Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Wyoming Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
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