Iowa Eviction Notice Template (Iowa Code § 562A.27)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under Iowa Code § 562A.27, which requires written notice to the tenant before a landlord may terminate the rental agreement and file a forcible entry and detainer action.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in Iowa
Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets eviction notices in Iowa Code § 562A.27. For unpaid rent, the landlord gives a three-day written notice to pay. For a material lease violation, the tenant gets seven days to fix it, or the rental agreement ends. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days' written notice under § 562A.34.
The notice should be in writing and state the rent owed or the violation, the deadline, and that the agreement will end if the tenant doesn't comply. Under § 562A.8, a landlord may hand-deliver the notice, get a signed acknowledgment from an adult resident, post it on the main entrance door with the posting date, or mail it by both regular and certified mail; mailed notice counts as served four days after mailing, so allow extra time. A tenant who creates a clear and present danger to others' health or safety can be given a single three-day notice to quit without a chance to cure.
If the tenant doesn't pay, cure or leave, the landlord files a forcible entry and detainer case in the county where the property is located, often in small claims. Under § 562A.26, a landlord who unlawfully removes or excludes a tenant, or cuts off electric, gas, water or other essential service, owes actual damages, punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent and reasonable legal fees. Only a court judgment ordering removal can remove a tenant.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example Iowa eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under Iowa Code § 562A.27, which requires written notice to the tenant before a landlord may terminate the rental agreement and file a forcible entry and detainer action.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
How many days' notice for unpaid rent in Iowa?
Three days. Under § 562A.27, the written notice must tell the tenant the rent is unpaid and that the rental agreement will end if it isn't paid within three days. If the tenant pays in full during that time, the tenancy continues. After three days, the landlord may terminate and file for possession.
What notice does Iowa require for a lease violation?
For a material violation, a seven-day notice describing the breach and setting a termination date at least seven days after the tenant receives it. If the tenant fixes it within seven days, the tenancy continues. A repeat of the same violation within six months allows termination on seven days' notice without another cure. Clear and present dangers allow a three-day notice.
How do I end a month-to-month tenancy in Iowa?
Give at least 30 days' written notice before the rent due date on which the tenancy is to end, under Iowa Code § 562A.34. Iowa has no statewide just-cause rule, but a landlord may not end a tenancy to retaliate against a tenant for reporting problems.
Where are Iowa eviction cases heard?
Forcible entry and detainer cases are filed in the county where the property is located, and the district court sitting in small claims can hear them. The court sets a hearing no later than eight days after filing, or up to 15 days if the landlord asks. If the landlord wins, the court orders the tenant's removal. The landlord cannot remove the tenant directly.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
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