Iowa Eviction Notice Requirements

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.