An Iowa lease agreement is a binding document between a landlord who rents the property and the tenant who covers the monthly rent and complies with the terms and conditions.
The contract must be written following Iowa’s landlord-tenant laws and typically includes details such as identifying information of both parties, premises description, pet and smoking prohibitions, specific health and safety disclosures, and rent and security deposit specifics.
By Type (6)
Standard Lease Agreement
Creates a tenancy arrangement between a landlord and a tenant for renting residential property.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Establishes the terms and conditions for the rental of commercial property.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Grants tenants the exclusive option to purchase the property before the lease concludes.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
Use to allow residents to choose to inhabit a property on a flexible, month-to-month basis, without being tied to a long-term commitment.
Sublease Agreement
Grant the subtenant the authority to rent either the entire or a portion of the leased property for a specified period.
Laws
Overview
Rent Control: No.
Limit on Late Fees: Yes.
Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Yes.
Grace Period: No.
License Required for Landlord: No.
Required Lease Disclosures
Through the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, Iowa imposes specific requirements for owners and renters entering a lease agreement. For instance, Iowa landlords must provide tenants with the following disclosures:
- Shared Utilities Notice. All utilities and costs must be explained before the start of the lease (§ 562A.13).
- Identification. Landlords and other parties managing the property must provide additional identification in the contract. (§ 562A.13)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System. The tenant must be informed if the property appears listed in the Environmental Protection Agency’s database.
- Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards for any building constructed before 1978 under federal law Title 42 U.S. Code § 4852(d).
- Security Deposit Notice. All security deposits must be held in a separate bank account, held in a federally insured bank, credit union, or savings and loan.
Security Deposit
Landlords in Iowa can request up to two months’ rent as a security deposit. Security deposits shall also not be commingled with a landlord’s funds.
Landlords must return tenant security deposits within 30 days of termination, along with an itemized list of all damage deductions (§ 562A.12).
Landlord Right of Entry
Iowa landlords are required to give tenants 24 hours’ notice before entering the premises and must only enter the premises during “reasonable hours.” In emergencies, landlords are allowed to enter the property without first giving notice (§ 562A.19).
Sample
The Iowa lease agreement template below can be downloaded in PDF or Word format.
