Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Iowa Property Management Agreement
This Property Management 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) |
| Landlord entry | 24 hours’ notice, at reasonable timesIowa Code §562A.19(3) |
| Late fees | Rent ≤ $700: max $12/day or $60/month · Rent > $700: max $20/day or $100/monthIowa Code §562A.9(4) |
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)).
Iowa Property Management 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 Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- 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 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
Property Management Agreement in other states
- Alabama Property Management Agreement
- Alaska Property Management Agreement
- Arizona Property Management Agreement
- Arkansas Property Management Agreement
- California Property Management Agreement
- Colorado Property Management Agreement
- Connecticut Property Management Agreement
- Delaware Property Management Agreement
- Florida Property Management Agreement
- Georgia Property Management Agreement
- Hawaii Property Management Agreement
- Idaho Property Management Agreement
- Illinois Property Management Agreement
- Indiana Property Management Agreement
- Kansas Property Management Agreement
- Kentucky Property Management Agreement
- Louisiana Property Management Agreement
- Maine Property Management Agreement
- Maryland Property Management Agreement
- Massachusetts Property Management Agreement
- Michigan Property Management Agreement
- Minnesota Property Management Agreement
- Mississippi Property Management Agreement
- Missouri Property Management Agreement
- Montana Property Management Agreement
- Nebraska Property Management Agreement
- Nevada Property Management Agreement
- New Hampshire Property Management Agreement
- New Jersey Property Management Agreement
- New Mexico Property Management Agreement
- New York Property Management Agreement
- North Carolina Property Management Agreement
- North Dakota Property Management Agreement
- Ohio Property Management Agreement
- Oklahoma Property Management Agreement
- Oregon Property Management Agreement
- Pennsylvania Property Management Agreement
- Rhode Island Property Management Agreement
- South Carolina Property Management Agreement
- South Dakota Property Management Agreement
- Tennessee Property Management Agreement
- Texas Property Management Agreement
- Utah Property Management Agreement
- Vermont Property Management Agreement
- Virginia Property Management Agreement
- Washington Property Management Agreement
- West Virginia Property Management Agreement
- Wisconsin Property Management Agreement
- Wyoming Property Management Agreement
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