Free Iowa Lease & Rental Agreement

Last updated September 27, 2026

Written by LawLease Editorial

Free template

Download a free Iowa residential lease agreement template

A blank, printable Iowaform with the state's required clauses and disclosures — fill it in by hand. Create a free account to download.

Build a guided Iowa version

Iowa Residential Lease Agreement

A Iowa residential lease (also called a Iowa rental agreement) sets the rent, term and house rules for a home rental. An Iowa residential lease agreement is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 562A, the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law. Iowa caps deposits at two months’ rent, sets hard dollar limits on late fees, and requires 30 days’ written notice of any rent increase. Below is what Iowa law actually requires.

Iowa landlord–tenant law at a glance

Iowa residential lease law summary
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)
Rent-increase notice	30 days’ written notice; not effective before the lease term endsIowa Code §562A.13(5)
Landlord entry	24 hours’ notice, at reasonable timesIowa Code §562A.19(3)
Month-to-month termination	30 days’ written notice before a rental dateIowa Code §562A.34(2)
Nonpayment eviction notice	3 days’ written notice to payIowa Code §562A.27(2)
Rent control	Prohibited — cities and counties can’t limit rentIowa Code §§364.3(9), 331.304(10)

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)).

Landlord entry & access

An Iowa landlord must give at least 24 hours’ notice of the intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable (§562A.19(3)). The tenant, in turn, can’t unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, repair, or show the unit.

The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. An unlawful or harassing entry lets the tenant seek an injunction or end the lease and recover actual damages of not less than one month’s rent, plus attorney fees (§562A.35(2)).

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)).

Notice to end an Iowa tenancy (§562A.34)
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).

Required disclosures in Iowa

A landlord who skips the manager-and-owner disclosure becomes the agent of the actual landlord for receiving notices and performing the landlord’s obligations (§562A.13(3)).

Manager & owner — The name and address of the person managing the property and of an owner or agent authorized to receive notices and service of process, in writing at or before move-in (§562A.13(1)).
Utility charges — A full explanation of utility rates, charges, and services before signing, unless the tenant pays the utility directly (§562A.13(4)).
Superfund listing — Written notice before move-in if the property is listed in the federal EPA’s CERCLIS hazardous-site database (§562A.13(6)).
Lead-based paint — Federal law requires the lead warning and any known-hazard disclosure for housing built before 1978 (42 U.S.C. §4852d).

Habitability & repairs

An Iowa landlord must comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety, make all repairs needed to keep the premises fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, and other supplied facilities, and supply running water, reasonable hot water, and reasonable heat (§562A.15(1)).

If the landlord materially fails these duties, the tenant can give a 7-day written notice to fix the problem or the lease ends (§562A.21). In a nonpayment case, a tenant who warned the landlord at least 7 days before rent was due and then fixed a defect costing no more than one month’s rent can deduct that cost from the rent claimed (§562A.27(4)).

Tenant protections you can’t waive

Prohibited clauses — A lease can’t waive Chapter 562A rights, include a confession of judgment, make a party pay the other’s attorney fees, or limit either side’s legal liability. Knowingly using such a clause exposes the landlord to actual damages, up to three months’ rent, and attorney fees (§562A.11).
No self-help eviction — Locking a tenant out or cutting utilities lets the tenant recover possession or end the lease, plus actual damages, up to twice the monthly rent in punitive damages, and attorney fees (§562A.26).
No retaliation — A landlord can’t raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because a tenant complained about code violations or joined a tenants’ union; a good-faith complaint within the prior year creates a presumption of retaliation (§562A.36).
Calling for help — A lease can’t penalize a tenant for summoning police or emergency assistance, and any waiver of that right is void (§562A.27B).

Iowa lease 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)).

How much notice does an Iowa landlord need to give before raising the rent?

At least 30 days’ written notice, and the increase can’t take effect before the current lease term or renewal expires — so a fixed-term lease can’t be raised mid-term (§562A.13(5)).

How much notice does a landlord need to enter a rental in Iowa?

At least 24 hours’ notice, with entry only at reasonable times. No notice is required in an emergency (§562A.19).

How much notice is needed for an eviction for unpaid rent in Iowa?

A 3-day written notice to pay the rent or have the lease terminated (§562A.27(2)). Other lease violations generally require a 7-day notice to cure (§562A.27(1)).

Does an Iowa lease need to be notarized?

No. A lease is enforceable once signed. If one side signs and the other doesn’t, accepting rent or possession without reservation gives the lease full effect — but only for up to one year if it provides for a longer term (§562A.10).

Iowa landlord documents

Lease agreements for other states

Create your Iowa lease in under 5 minutes

Iowa-compliant clauses, e-sign ready, built for landlords and tenants.

Start your Iowa lease