Iowa Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Iowa, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Iowa Code §562A.12). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Iowa deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 2 months' rent
As of 2026. Source: Iowa Code §562A.12 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Iowa landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Iowa Code §562A.12). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Iowa landlord can charge?
Yes: 2 months' rent (as of 2026; source: Iowa Code §562A.12). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in Iowa if the landlord ignores this?
$6,500 or less in damages (Iowa Code 631.1). Small claims also covers forcible entry and detainer (eviction) actions regardless of the money cap. The court is the Small claims docket of the Iowa District Court (heard by magistrates and district associate judges), and the filing fee is $95 flat statewide (Iowa Code 631.6 / 602.8105), plus service costs.. As of 2026; source: Iowa Code § 631.1; § 631.6 (fees).
Do I need a lawyer in Iowa small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but not required; procedures are simplified.. Source: Iowa Code § 631.1; § 631.6 (fees) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Iowa compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Iowa: Iowa Code §562A.12 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Illinois (45 days), Minnesota (21 days), Missouri (30 days), Nebraska (14 days), South Dakota (14 days), Wisconsin (21 days).
The rest of what Iowa requires
The figures below are Iowa's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Iowa page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 2 months' rent Iowa Code §562A.12 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out Iowa Code §562A.12 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Iowa Code §562A.12 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 3 days to pay or quit Iowa Code § 562A.27; § 562A.34(2) ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 7 days Iowa Code § 562A.27; § 562A.34(2) ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $6,500 Iowa Code § 631.1; § 631.6 (fees) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small claims docket of the Iowa District Court (heard by magistrates and district associate judges) · filing fee $95 flat statewide (Iowa Code 631.6 / 602.8105), plus service costs. Iowa Code § 631.1; § 631.6 (fees) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Iowa Legislature ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Iowa DOT / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required Iowa Code §633B.105 (form §633B.301) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules Iowa Code § 489.102(19) (definition); Iowa Code § 489.105 (scope/function) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder (Iowa Code § 558.11 — 'recorder of deeds of the county in which the real estate is situated') · no witnesses Iowa Code §§ 558.19, 558.42 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Iowa legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →