Iowa Rental Laws

Iowa Rental Laws

Your Guide to Iowa Rental Laws with helpful links and information for leases, rent, security deposits, tenant screening, real estate and government.

Official Website of the State of Iowa

The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of Iowa was 3,107,126 on July 1, 2014, a 1.99% increase since the 2010 United States Census

The State of Iowa has 99 counties.

State Rules and Regulations

Important Lease Terms

Security Deposits

  • Amount: 2 Months
  • Return Deadline:  30 Days

Fees and Notice

  • Applications Fees: No Restrictions
  • Termination Notice:  7 Days
  • Tenant Rights to Withhold Rent: Allowed circumstance dependent

Landlord Disclosures

Real Estate Links

Federal Government

  • Fair Credit Reporting Act:  Federal Government legislation which promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer information contained in the files of consumer reporting agencies.
  • Fair Housing Act:  The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children

Credit Reports

Tenant Screening

  • Counties covered:  Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, Worth, Wright
  • Options for Tenant Screening Packages and Prices
  • Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 

Last Updated: April 8, 2020