• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Legal Templates

Legal Templates
  • Business Forms
    • Business Formation
      • LLC Operating Agreement
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Shareholder Agreement
      • Partnership Agreement
      • Business Purchase Agreement
      • Joint Venture Agreement
      • Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement
    • Business Operations
      • Letter of Intent
      • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
      • Non-Compete Agreement
      • Invoice Template
      • Purchase Order
      • Hold Harmless Agreement
      • Release of Liability Form (Waiver)
      • Buy-Sell Agreement
      • Construction Contract
      • Licensing Agreement
    • Employment
      • Independent Contractor Agreement
      • Employment Contract
      • Freelance Contract
      • Leave of Absence Letter
      • Leave of Absence Agreement
    • Cease and Desist Letter
      • Copyright Infringement
      • Debt Collection
      • Defamation
      • Harassment
      • Trademark Infringement
  • Real Estate Forms
    • Lease Agreements
      • Lease/Rental Agreement
      • Sublease Agreement
      • Room Rental Agreement
      • Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
      • Commercial Lease Agreement
      • Short Term Lease Agreement
      • Land Lease Agreement
      • Lease Renewal Agreement
      • Lease Amendment
    • Lease Termination Letter
      • Eviction Notice
      • Notice to Vacate
      • Early Lease Termination Letter
      • Late Rent Notice
    • Deeds & Property
      • Warranty Deed
      • Mortgage Deed
      • Quitclaim Deed
      • Deed of Trust
      • Mechanic’s Lien
      • Property Management Agreement
    • Rental Application
    • Real Estate Purchase Agreement
    • Employment Verification Letter
  • Estate Planning Forms
    • Power of Attorney
      • Medical Power of Attorney
      • Durable Power of Attorney
      • Revocation of Power of Attorney
    • Wills
      • Living Will
      • Last Will and Testament
      • Codicil to Will
    • Advance Directive
    • Living Trust
    • DNR Form
  • Finance Forms
    • Loans
      • Promissory Note
      • Loan Agreement
      • IOU
      • Demand For Payment Letter
    • Bill of Sale
      • Vehicle Bill of Sale
      • Boat Bill of Sale
      • Firearm Bill of Sale
      • Horse Bill of Sale
      • Trailer Bill of Sale
    • Sales & Purchases
      • Sales Agreement
      • Purchase Agreement
      • Gift Affidavit
      • Stock Purchase Agreement
  • Personal/Family Forms
    • Affidavits
      • Affidavit of Death
      • Affidavit of Domicile
      • Affidavit of Heirship
      • Affidavit of Identity
      • Affidavit of Residence
      • Affidavit of Service
      • Affidavit of Title
      • Financial Affidavit
      • Gift Affidavit
      • Small Estate Affidavit
    • Marriage
      • Divorce Agreement
      • Prenuptial Agreement
      • Cohabitation Agreement
      • Separation Agreement
      • Postnuptial Agreement Template
    • Child & Pet Forms
      • Child Medical Consent
      • Child Travel Consent Form
      • Child Custody Agreement
      • Pet Care Agreement
    • Medical Records Release Form
  • Resources
    • Legal Dictionary
    • All Legal Documents
    • Article Categories
      • Business
      • Estate Planning
      • Financial
      • Personal & Family
      • Real Estate
  • Help
    • Email Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Sign In
  • :email
    • Dashboard Home
    • My Account
    • My Billing History
    • Sign Out
  • Help
    • Contact Us
    • Email Us
    • About Us
    • (855) 335-9779 Monday-Friday, 10AM - 6PM EDT
  • Sign In
  • :email
    • Dashboard Home
    • My Account
    • My Billing History
    • Sign Out

Home Legal Documents Eviction Notice Iowa

Iowa Eviction Notice

Use our Iowa Eviction Notice to remove a tenant from your rental property.

Updated November 6, 2020

If you’re a landlord seeking to evict a tenant, use an Iowa (IA) eviction notice to begin the process. Your eviction notice must be written according to Iowa state law, and give your tenant the legally required amount of time to respond or move out.

In Iowa, eviction lawsuits are governed by Title XV, Chapter 648 of the Iowa Code.

For reference, an Iowa eviction notice is also known as:

  • Iowa Notice to Quit
  • Iowa Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent
  • Iowa Notice to Vacate
  • Iowa Lease Termination

Iowa Eviction Notices by Type

Download a free eviction notice customized for Iowa state law below in MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF format.

iowa 30 day lease termination30-Day Lease Termination: Use this notice to let a tenant know that you’re ending a month-to-month lease, and that they must prepare to leave your property. In Iowa, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice to move out if they’re on a month-to-month lease. If the tenant doesn’t move out within 30 days, you may take legal action.

Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF


iowa eviction notice 7 day comply or quit7-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. In Iowa, landlords must give tenants seven days’ notice before the eviction process can proceed in court. In that time, tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem if it’s their first time causing this problem. However, if they repeat the same violation within six months, the landlord has the right to terminate the lease and forcibly evict the tenant by court order.

Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF


iowa eviction notice 3 day pay rent or quit3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they haven’t paid rent on time. In Iowa, landlords must give tenants three days to pay rent before the eviction process can proceed in court. If the tenant pays rent within those three days, you cannot file an eviction lawsuit.

Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF

If you wish to send a letter simply reminding your tenant that rent is late (without threat of eviction), use a late rent notice.


Eviction Laws & Requirements

  • Eviction Lawsuit: After giving the tenant three days to address the eviction notice, the landlord may obtain a writ and petition for forcible entry and detainer from the small claims or district court (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27(2)).
  • Grace Period for Rent Payment: Iowa law does not cover grace periods, so rent is due as stated in the rental or lease agreement (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.9(3)).
  • Late or Non-Rent Payment Notice: 3 days. A landlord may charge no more than $60.00 per month in late fees if rent is less than $600.00 per month and no more than $100.00 per month for rent over $700.00 (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.9). For non-payment of rent, the landlord may give a three-day notice to pay or quit once rent is late (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27(2)).
  • Notice of Non-Compliance: 7 days. A landlord must give the tenant a 7-day notice to comply with lease terms. If the tenant doesn’t comply, the landlord may evict them after the 3-day notice period (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27). If the tenant creates a clear and present danger on the property, the landlord may evict the tenant after three days. (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.27A)
  • Lease Termination (Month-to-Month): 30 days. If the lease doesn’t mention a timeframe for ending it, either the landlord or tenant may give a 30-day notice to terminate the lease. (Iowa Code Ann. § 562A.34)

What is the Eviction Process in Iowa?

Step 1: Serve the eviction notice on the tenant

The landlord must first serve on a tenant a three-day notice to quit. This notice must state the reason/s for eviction, and be personally served on the tenant or other legal adult (18+) living on the property.

Alternatively, the notice may be posted at the residence and a copy sent by certified mail. Whether the landlord serves the notice to the tenant in person or posts it at their residence, serving notice is a mandatory step for a landlord before they can legally begin the eviction process.

Step 2: File an eviction lawsuit

If a tenant hasn’t paid rent, cured a lease violation, or moved out after three days, a landlord may electronically file a forcible entry and detainer petition and verification of account forms with the small claims court or district court in the county where the premises are located.

Step 3: Serve the lawsuit

The petition for forcible entry and detainer must be served on the tenant or anyone over 18 at the premises by a process server. Alternatively, the lawsuit may be posted at the residence and a copy sent by certified mail.

Step 4: Schedule the hearing

The court sets a date for the hearing within 8 to 15 days of filing the petition.

Step 5: Tenant answers or defaults 

If the tenant wishes to contest the eviction, they must electronically file a written answer to the petition. If the tenant fails to appear at the hearing or the court decides in favor of the landlord, the tenant must move out and the landlord regains possession of the property.

Step 6: Either party may appeal

If the tenant or landlord disagrees with the court’s decision, either may file an appeal. Either party must appeal within 20 days of the final judgment.

Step 7: Await the judgment from the court

If the landlord wins, the court enters judgment and issues a writ of possession to the landlord. The writ is served on the tenant by a sheriff. The tenant then has three days to leave the premises.

However, if the tenant wins, the lawsuit is dismissed and the tenant doesn’t need to move out.

Related Iowa Court Forms

Notice to Vacate Premises: This notice lets a tenant know that they must leave  the rental premises due to a lease or rental agreement violation.

Original Notice and Petition for Forcible Entry and Detainer: This document begins the eviction lawsuit for non-payment of rent or lease violation, stating the facts of the tenancy and non-payment.

Verification of Account, Identification of Judgment Debtor, and Certificate Re Military Service: Filed with the clerk of the court to verify information about the tenant’s identity and location.

Appearance and Answer of Defendant(s): The tenant answers the eviction lawsuit with this document, alleging any special defenses, such as uninhabitable premises or full payment of rent.

Request for General Execution: The court issues this document after judgment is entered for the landlord, and is used to collect rent or other fees due.

Writ of Removal and Possession: the court issues this document after judgment is entered for the landlord and is used by the sheriff to remove the tenant from the rental premises.

Eviction Information for Iowa Landlords and Tenants

Resources for Landlords

Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — The applicable Iowa statutes governing landlord and tenant rights, obligations, and legal actions notes that a landlord must not use self-help to evict a tenant, such as turning off utilities or locking the tenant out of the premises.

Legislative Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law – Iowa Legislative Services Agency — A reprint of the Iowa laws governing landlords and tenants.

Landlords of Iowa — A resource business association for landlords.

Resources for Tenants

Fair Housing Act — The federal statute forbidding landlords from discriminating against tenants based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, family status or disability.

Tenant resource page at HUD.gov — for tenants in federally assisted housing.

Summary of Iowa landlord and tenant — Iowa legal aid society’s resource page for rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, as well as low-cost legal aid.

The Iowa State Bar Association — Provides information on housing in Iowa.

Eviction Notice: In Other States

  • Illinois
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin

Iowa Real Estate Documents

View All Documents

Buy/Sell Real Estate

  • Iowa Quitclaim Deed

Create a Lease

  • Iowa Residential Lease/Rental Agreement
  • Iowa Sublease Agreement
iowa eviction notice 3 day pay rent or quit
PDF Word

Free Iowa Eviction Notice Form

Create Your Iowa Eviction Notice in Minutes!

Legal Documents

  • All Legal Forms
  • Bill of Sale Forms
  • Quitclaim Deed
  • Cease and Desist
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Articles of Incorporation

Popular Forms

  • Lease Agreements
  • Power of Attorney Forms
  • Eviction Notice
  • Living Will
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement

Resources

  • Legal Dictionary
  • Business
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial
  • Personal & Family
  • Real Estate

Company

  • Home
  • Pricing
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Partner With Us

Users

  • Account
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
McAfee - Together is power.
Trustpilot
BBB Accredited Business

(855) 335-9779, Monday-Friday, 10AM - 6PM EDT

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Copyright 2021 Legal Templates LLC. Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law. Legal Templates cannot and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information, software and services provided on the site are for informational purposes and self-help only and are not intended to be a substitute for a lawyer or professional legal advice. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use.

Thank you for downloading one of our free legal templates!

Leave us a review?

We hope you've found what you need and are able to avoid the time, costs, and stress associated with dealing with a lawyer.

If you have a moment, a review would mean the world to us (it only takes about 15 seconds).

Thanks again, and good luck!

Leave My Review