Iowa Rental Lease Agreement Templates (6)

An Iowa lease agreement is the standard form used when an individual, known as the landlord, wants to transfer certain property rights to another individual. In return, the individual who will be occupying the premises, known as the tenant, is obligated to pay a periodic rental fee. This rental fee and other aspects of the arrangement are established within the content of the lease.

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Last updated February 6th, 2026

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An Iowa lease agreement is the standard form used when an individual, known as the landlord, wants to transfer certain property rights to another individual. In return, the individual who will be occupying the premises, known as the tenant, is obligated to pay a periodic rental fee. This rental fee and other aspects of the arrangement are established within the content of the lease.

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Lease Agreements by Type (6)

Iowa Association of Realtors Residential Lease Agreement: The form originated by the Realtor organization to facilitate a leasing agreement transaction.

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Commercial Lease Agreement: A lease that specifically functions as a contract for the purpose of renting property containing a shop/store, company office, retail location, etc.

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Lease to Own Agreement: This document gives tenants the right of first refusal during the term of the lease, thus granting exclusive rights to purchase the property in addition to approving or denying third-party bids on the right to purchase.

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Month-to-Month Lease: This type of contract only lasts a term of one (1) month at a time and gives either party the ability to terminate with thirty (30) days’ notice. (§ 562A.34(2)).

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Roommate Agreement: Specific to the rental of a room/section of a residential dwelling, this agreement allows users to document the terms of an arrangement shared by a current tenant and new housemate.

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Standard Lease Agreement: Composes a legal representation of the commitments in rental property arrangement as an official binding contract.

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Sublease Agreement: A well-known contract in the leasing world, this form can be utilized by an existing tenant who would like to rent the property they occupy to a new tenant.

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Required Landlord Disclosures

1.) Contact Details: Landlords disclose the current names & addresses of all persons regarding the property, such as management or approved agents.

2.) Environmental Protection Agency (§ 562A.13(6)): Properties with an EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System registration require landlords to inform prospective tenants accordingly.

3.) Lead-Based Paint(42 U.S. Code § 4852d: This disclosure is applicable to all pre-1978 housing and requires potential tenants know the lead hazards within the structure.

4.) Rent Increase: If the landlord intends to raise the amount of rent, they send notice to potential tenants at least 30 days before (§ 562A.13(5)).

5.) Utility Costs: Landlords must fully explain utility rates, charges, and services before lease execution. (IC 562A.13(4) § 562A.13(4)).

When is Rent Due?

Grace Period: Rent is late once it remains unpaid on the due date; however, leases may state otherwise (IC § 562A.9).

Unpaid Rent: The lease may assess late fees, while landlords serve a 3-day pay-or-quit notice (IC § 562A.9).

Late Fees

Iowa regulates late fees for unpaid rent accordingly:

  • If the rent is $700 or less then the landlord may charge a $12/day fee (maximum $60)
  • If the rent is $700 or more then the landlord may charge $20/day (maximum $100) (IC § 562A.9).

NSF FEES

Landlords assess up to a $30 surcharge for bounced checks and (potentially) late fees the lease explicitly demands (IC § 554.3512).


Security Deposit Maximum ($)

Leases determine the security amount; however, they may not require more than 2 months’ rent (IC § 562A.12).

Security Deposit Return

Returning to Tenant: Landlords have 30 days to return the deposit; however, this countdown starts upon receiving the tenant’s address (IC § 562A.12)

Itemized List: Landlords have an obligation to specifically explain any deductions from the returned amount in writing (IC § 562A.12).

Landlord’s Right to Enter

Standard Entry: Landlords give 24 hours’ notice to enter (specifically with consent) for repairs and other tasks (IC § 562A.19).

Emergency Entry: Landlords enter with or without consent whenever an emergency demands immediate attention (IC § 562A.19).

Absence

Leases may require notice of an extended absence (specifically) by the first day of absence (Iowa Code § 562A.20).

Abandonment: Landlords enter the unit once the tenant is absent for more than 14 days without notice (IC § 562A.29(2)).

Repair and Deduct

Tenants serve a 7-day repair or quit notice to landlords as well as:

  • Effect repairs if they are “remediable” then deduct up to one month’s rent
  • Seek help from the courts for damages (IC § 562A.21).

Tenant Breaking a Lease (Early)

Duty to Mitigate: Landlords make reasonable efforts to re-rent the premises as soon as possible (Iowa Code § 562A.29(3)).

Domestic Violence: Iowa does not justify a domestic violence victim’s early termination; however, they may seek an injunction, and landlords are forbidden from retaliating (IC § 562A.27B).

Active Military: In addition to federal laws, Iowa allows military personnel to cancel their leases for permanent change of service or deployments greater than 90 days (IC § 29A.101A)

Landlord Noncompliance: Tenants can terminate a lease after following the appropriate protocols, for example:

  • Landlords have no right enter illegally; therefore, tenants seek court relief (e.g., injunction).
  • Landlords must adhere to the lease’s conditions and maintain health and safety codes at all times or tenants will issue a 7-day repair or quit notice.
  • Landlords provide habitable conditions (e.g., water); otherwise, tenants obtain such services and seek compensation (IC § 562A.21(1),
    IC § 562A.23(1)(a)).

Landlord Harassment: Tenants initiate court procedures; however, landlords may not abuse authority, retaliate, or “self-help” (IC § 562A.35, IC § 562A.36).

Uninhabitable Conditions: Whenever landlords willfully allow health, safety, and habitability violations, the tenant must either issue a 7-day notice or:

  • “Procure” the services (e.g., hot or running water)
  • Seek compensation for rent
  • Seek compensation for securing the services; however, only within reasonable limits (IC § 562A.21(1), IC § 562A.23)

Is an Oral Lease enforceable?

Oral leases (specifically) under one year are enforceable in the state of Iowa (IC § 562A.6).

Lease Renewal

Local governments may not limit lease renewal increases; however, landlords must give 30 days’ notice beforehand (IC § 364.3).

Unclaimed Property

Landlords cannot use self-help methods; however, they may submit an Original Notice and Petition for Disposition of Abandoned Property (Iowa Code chapter 555B) (Mobile Home and Personal Property in the Vicinity) to the local county court (IA Code Title XIV Property Chapter 555B).

Landlord-Tenant Laws

View Chapter 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law) to learn about Iowa’s property laws accordingly. Also, the state’s Legal Services Division offers a Legislative Guide for Landlord-Tenant Law as an aid.