Landlord-tenant law

Iowa Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Iowa.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
2 months' rent
Iowa Code § 562A.12(1)
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days
Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
3-day notice to pay or quit
Iowa Code § 562A.27(2)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
Iowa Code § 562A.34
¢
Late Fee Cap
$12/day (cap $60/month) for rent ≤$700/month; $20/day (cap $100/month) for rent >$700/month
Iowa Code § 562A.9(4)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period (late fees may begin accruing the day after rent is due)
Iowa specific notes

Iowa's tiered daily late-fee structure is unusual. Deposits must be held in a federally insured account. Des Moines does not impose significantly stricter local rules.

FAQ

Common Iowa landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Iowa?+
2 months' rent. Governed by Iowa Code § 562A.12(1). Deposit must be returned within 30 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Iowa for non-payment of rent?+
3-day notice to pay or quit. Per Iowa Code § 562A.27(2). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Iowa?+
30 days. Per Iowa Code § 562A.34. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Iowa?+
$12/day (cap $60/month) for rent ≤$700/month; $20/day (cap $100/month) for rent >$700/month. Per Iowa Code § 562A.9(4). Grace period: No statutory grace period (late fees may begin accruing the day after rent is due). Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Iowa

Compare

See how Iowa stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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