An Iowa Rental Application helps landlords vet prospective tenants before entering into a rental agreement. The document allows property owners to gather information regarding an applicant’s employment, finances, credit history, criminal background, and rental history, including any previous evictions.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Application Fee Limits – No limits (no statute)
- Security Deposit – Iowa security deposits cannot exceed two months’ rent (§ 562A.12.1)
State Laws
Below you can find important information for the rental application process in Iowa. Learn about rental application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, eviction record searches, and further useful resources.
Application Fees
Along with requiring the completion of a rental application, prospective tenants typically pay a fee that covers the expenses a landlord incurs when they process the application, including running background checks. Iowa law has no provisions limiting how much you can charge for a rental application fee, but it should be proportional to the cost of processing the rental application.
Security Deposits
State laws specify landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of the date the tenant vacates the property and specify if there are any deductions applicable (IA Code § 562A.12.3).
Iowa state statute stipulates that you must put any security deposits collected into a separate, FDIC-insured, interest-bearing account. While no law obliges you to provide a receipt, it is best practice to do so anyway.
Pet Deposits
Landlords are permitted to charge a separate pet security deposit in Iowa, as long as it’s in a reasonable amount. However, no deposit may be collected for certified service or assistance animals.
How To Conduct an Eviction Record Search
You can save time and money by running your eviction records search through the Iowa Courts Online Electronic Docket Record Search.
If you require more detailed information, you may be required to subscribe for a small monthly fee.
Other Resources for Iowa Landlords
- Iowa Fair Housing Laws. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission provides a comprehensive guide to housing discrimination in Iowa.
- Iowa Sex Offender Registry. The registry offers an aid to identify and locate individuals in Iowa convicted of a sexual offense that requires registration.
Sample
Below is an example of a standard Iowa rental application form. You may download it or use our document builder to create a customized rental application.
