How to become a landlord in Iowa

At or before the start of the tenancy, disclose in writing who manages the property and who receives legal papers and notices for the owner. Before the lease is signed, fully explain utility rates, charges and services unless the tenant pays the utility company directly. Before the tenancy begins, tell each tenant in writing if the property is listed in the federal CERCLIS environmental database. Disclosure rules in other Iowa chapters, including the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sections, were not read for this page (Iowa Code § 562A.13(1); Iowa Code § 562A.13(4); Iowa Code § 562A.13(6)).

• The utility explanation is due to the prospective tenant from you or anyone authorized to sign rental agreements for you (Iowa Code § 562A.13(4)).
• The CERCLIS disclosure is required only if the property is listed in the comprehensive environmental response compensation and liability information system maintained by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (Iowa Code § 562A.13(6)).
• The owner and manager disclosure is explained under landlord identity (Iowa Code § 562A.13(1)).See Landlord identity disclosure on the Iowa page

At or before the start of the tenancy, you or a person authorized to sign rental agreements for you must disclose to the tenant in writing the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises, and of an owner or a person authorized to act for the owner for service of process and for receiving and receipting for notices and demands (Iowa Code § 562A.13(1)).

• Keep the information current; the duty extends to a successor landlord, owner or manager (Iowa Code § 562A.13(2)).
• A person who fails to make the disclosure becomes an agent of each person who is a landlord for service of process, for receiving and receipting for notices and demands, and for performing the landlord's duties under chapter 562A and the rental agreement (Iowa Code § 562A.13(3)).

This page does not state an Iowa flood disclosure rule. The Iowa Code is published only as PDF, and the review this page relies on recorded none, so it is listed as not read.

Iowa's smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sections, Iowa Code 100.18 and 100.31, were not read for this page, so their duties are not stated here.

This page does not state an Iowa rule on locks, rekeying or security devices. The Iowa Code is published only as PDF, and the review this page relies on recorded no rule on the subject, so it is listed as not read.

You may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than two months' rent. A rental deposit is any money that secures performance of the rental agreement, other than a deposit that is only an advance payment of rent (Iowa Code § 562A.12(1); Iowa Code § 562A.6(12)).

• Because the definition covers any money that secures the tenant's performance, Rentari reads a refundable pet deposit as part of the two months (Iowa Code § 562A.6(12); Iowa Code § 562A.12(1)).

Hold every rental deposit for the tenant in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union insured by an agency of the federal government, and do not commingle it with your personal funds. A trust account is permitted but not required. Interest earned on a deposit during the first five years of a tenancy belongs to you (Iowa Code § 562A.12(2)).

Use a dated condition record at move-in to show the home’s starting condition. Iowa HHS housing guidance recommends writing down and photographing existing damage and having the landlord sign and date it. This is practical recordkeeping guidance; this page does not establish a mandatory Iowa inspection form or statutory checklist deadline (Iowa HHS: housing and apartment-tour guidance).

• Work room by room and record existing stains, cracks, worn finishes, appliance condition and missing items. Keep wide photos for context and close-ups for damage. Give both sides the same dated checklist and photos, note any disagreement, and keep repair requests separate so documenting a defect is not mistaken for fixing it. Compare with the move-out record when explaining a proposed deposit deduction (Iowa HHS: housing and apartment-tour guidance).

This page does not state an Iowa rule on application or screening fees. The Iowa Code is published only as PDF, and the review this page relies on recorded no rule on the subject, so it is listed as not read.