Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Iowa Sublease Agreement
This Sublease 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) |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days’ written notice before a rental dateIowa Code §562A.34(2) |
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)).
Iowa Sublease 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)).
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 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 Lease Amendment
Sublease Agreement in other states
- Alabama Sublease Agreement
- Alaska Sublease Agreement
- Arizona Sublease Agreement
- Arkansas Sublease Agreement
- California Sublease Agreement
- Colorado Sublease Agreement
- Connecticut Sublease Agreement
- Delaware Sublease Agreement
- Florida Sublease Agreement
- Georgia Sublease Agreement
- Hawaii Sublease Agreement
- Idaho Sublease Agreement
- Illinois Sublease Agreement
- Indiana Sublease Agreement
- Kansas Sublease Agreement
- Kentucky Sublease Agreement
- Louisiana Sublease Agreement
- Maine Sublease Agreement
- Maryland Sublease Agreement
- Massachusetts Sublease Agreement
- Michigan Sublease Agreement
- Minnesota Sublease Agreement
- Mississippi Sublease Agreement
- Missouri Sublease Agreement
- Montana Sublease Agreement
- Nebraska Sublease Agreement
- Nevada Sublease Agreement
- New Hampshire Sublease Agreement
- New Jersey Sublease Agreement
- New Mexico Sublease Agreement
- New York Sublease Agreement
- North Carolina Sublease Agreement
- North Dakota Sublease Agreement
- Ohio Sublease Agreement
- Oklahoma Sublease Agreement
- Oregon Sublease Agreement
- Pennsylvania Sublease Agreement
- Rhode Island Sublease Agreement
- South Carolina Sublease Agreement
- South Dakota Sublease Agreement
- Tennessee Sublease Agreement
- Texas Sublease Agreement
- Utah Sublease Agreement
- Vermont Sublease Agreement
- Virginia Sublease Agreement
- Washington Sublease Agreement
- West Virginia Sublease Agreement
- Wisconsin Sublease Agreement
- Wyoming Sublease Agreement
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