Housing (Landlords) in Iowa

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SF 2438: A bill for an act relating to city utilities including landlord notification, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2438 amends Iowa utility laws to require city utilities to automatically notify landlords when a tenant is 60 days delinquent on payments (removing the prior requirement for landlords to request this notice), and to provide at least 10 days' notice before disconnecting service. It expands acceptable methods for landlords to provide written notice that a property is rental housing (including online, email, or fax), exempting the property from liens for unpaid tenant-paid utility bills like water, sewage, or solid waste. Utilities may now require deposits up to 90 days for water/sewage services or 60 days for gas/electric, with deposits refunded when tenants move out. The bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and city utilities in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SSB 3128: A bill for an act relating to city utilities including tenant notification.

This bill (SSB 3128) creates a lien exemption for residential rental properties where tenants pay utility charges (sewer, storm water, waste, gas, electric) directly to the city. It requires landlords to provide written notice to the city utility confirming the property is rental and the tenant is liable for charges, or allows tenants to provide this notice if the landlord has an active rental license. The bill sets limits on required deposits (up to 90 days for some utilities, 60 days for gas/electric) and mandates the city return deposits if all charges are paid in full when tenants move out. It applies directly to tenants in rental housing and city utilities managing these services.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2551: A bill for an act relating to rent increases under residential landlord and tenant rental agreements and in manufactured home communities and mobile home parks.

HF 2551 limits how much landlords can raise rent for current tenants in Iowa residential rentals and mobile home parks. It sets a cap: rent increases cannot exceed either the Midwest region's consumer price index (CPI) increase or the county-assessed property value increase over the past year, whichever is higher. Landlords must provide written notice of any increase at least 90 days before it takes effect, and the new rent cannot start before the current lease ends. This directly affects existing tenants in both standard housing and manufactured home communities.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 26, 2026

HF 2134: A bill for an act relating to rental agreements and early termination rights of tenants who are victims of certain crimes.

This bill allows tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, elder abuse, or certain other qualifying crimes to terminate rental agreements early without penalty. To do so, tenants must provide written notice to their landlord with specific documentation, such as a protective order, police report, or certified medical documentation from a healthcare provider. Landlords cannot charge fees, report negative credit information, or refuse to rent based on this termination right. Tenants remain responsible for rent through the termination date but are not liable for future rent if the unit is re-rented, and cannot be charged for forfeiting deposits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SF 412: A bill for an act relating to property law, including rent, rental agreements, notice requirements, and possession of property.

This bill (SF 412) updates Iowa's rental property laws to clarify notice requirements for landlords and tenants. It adds electronic mail as a valid method for serving rental notices, but only if both parties have separately agreed in writing (via an addendum to the rental agreement) and neither has revoked consent in writing. The bill also states that rental agreement terms violating these rules are unenforceable, and landlords who knowingly use prohibited terms may face penalties including up to three months' rent and attorney fees. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in Iowa rental agreements involving notice delivery and prohibited terms.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2025

HF 158: A bill for an act relating to county and city regulation of rental housing.

HF 158 removes a current legal restriction that prevents Iowa counties and cities from banning landlords from refusing to rent to tenants using federal housing choice vouchers (like Section 8). The bill strikes existing code sections that prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances that would stop such discrimination. This change would allow counties and cities to create their own rules about whether landlords can refuse voucher users. The bill directly affects local governments' regulatory authority, landlords, and tenants using federal housing vouchers. It focuses on altering local housing regulation powers, not on new benefits or funding.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 266: A bill for an act relating to application fees charged by landlords to prospective tenants.

HF 266 requires landlords in Iowa to refund 50% of an application fee to prospective tenants if they are not selected to rent a unit. This directly affects renters who pay application fees and landlords who collect them. The key provision mandates that landlords must issue this partial refund within a specified timeframe after rejecting an applicant. The bill amends Iowa Code Section 562A.9 to establish this requirement, aiming to reduce financial burden on renters who don't secure housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SSB 1047: A bill for an act relating to property law, including manufactured or mobile home retailer licenses, rent, rental agreements, notice requirements, and possession of property.

This bill (SSB 1047) updates Iowa's property law for residential and mobile home rentals. It defines "rent" to explicitly include utilities and late fees (Section 1), changes mail notice timing to be "deemed completed" 4 days after mailing (Sections 2, 5), and makes prohibited rental terms unenforceable with penalties for landlords who knowingly use them (Sections 3, 6). The bill also standardizes notice requirements for property access and legal proceedings, requiring posted notices to include dates and specifying mailing methods (Sections 4, 7, 8, 9, 10). These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in rental properties, particularly mobile home parks, by clarifying rent terms, notice procedures, and tenant protections. The bill is pending in the legislature after subcommittee approval.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 377: A bill for an act concerning radon testing in rental properties.

HF 377 requires landlords in Iowa to address elevated radon levels in rental properties. Tenants can test for radon (using a certified professional) and must notify landlords if levels reach 4 parts per billion (the EPA action level). If confirmed high, landlords must install a radon mitigation system within 90 days and retest, providing results to tenants. If landlords fail to install the system or radon remains high after installation, tenants can terminate their lease with full refunds of prepaid rent and security deposits, without penalties. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in Iowa rental housing.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 689: A bill for an act relating to landlords and tenants, including the source of income tenants use for rent payments.

HF 689 prohibits landlords in Iowa from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income. It defines "source of income" to include housing vouchers, public benefits, social security, veterans' benefits, and other approved assistance programs. Landlords cannot deny tenancy, charge different fees, or restrict access to housing because a tenant uses these income sources, including housing choice vouchers or rental assistance. The law applies to both standard rental units and mobile home spaces, ensuring equal access for tenants relying on federally or state-supported income programs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

All housing bills