Iowa tenant screening laws

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.

The Iowa Office of Civil Rights lists housing protection for race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, and physical or mental disability. It also lists retaliation as protected in housing. Check those protections before setting different rent or renewal terms (Iowa Office of Civil Rights: protected classes).

• Respond to an assistance- or service-animal accommodation request within a reasonable time. When disability or the related need is not apparent, supporting information may be requested. An animal registration or certificate alone is insufficient. Do not request a diagnosis, disability severity or medical records (Iowa Code 216.8B(2)-(6)).
• Make necessary reasonable changes to pet policies and give a written assistance-animal determination. The statute identifies limits for undue hardship, fundamental alteration, unmitigable direct threats or substantial property damage, and otherwise unreasonable requests. Review the particular circumstances and applicable federal rights (Iowa Code 216.8B(6), (10)).
• A professional finding under section 216.8C includes the disability and animal-related need, assistance provided, licensing and compensation information, dates, and certifications about prior familiarity and whether the professional relationship has lasted at least 30 days, including telehealth. It must be made within 12 months of the rental agreement starting and lasts for 12 months or the agreement term, whichever is longer. This is not the exclusive way to establish disability or need (Iowa Code 216.8C).
• Licensing and vaccination compliance may be required, and residents remain responsible for animal-caused damage. Iowa preserves other lawful ways to show disability or need and does not narrow existing federal accommodation rights (Iowa Code 216.8B(6), (8)-(10)).