Iowa Eviction Notice

An eviction notice, also called a notice to vacate or notice to quit, is a legal document sent by landlords to provide written notice of a violation or end a tenancy in a rental property.

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What is an eviction notice in Iowa?

An eviction notice in Iowa is a legal document sent by landlords to provide written notice of a lease violation or to end a tenancy under Iowa Code § 562A.27. In most cases, this is the first step to beginning the legal eviction process.

When to use an eviction notice in Iowa

Late payment or non-payment of rent
The tenant has violated the terms of the rental agreement
You want to formally notify your tenant that they must resolve a lease violation within a certain amount of time or else they will be evicted from the property
Your tenant has remained on the property after the lease term has ended or after you notified them that you are ending their tenancy

Use the type of notice that suits your needs the best

Notice to Quit Also called a notice to vacate, these legal documents notify non-compliant tenants that they must vacate the rental unit or property.

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Notice to Vacate Notify either a tenant or a landlord of the intent to terminate a rental agreement and vacate the property by a specific date. This may be issued by either party.

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Complete an eviction notice in three easy steps

1. Determine the Grounds for Eviction
Most states, including Iowa, require you to provide reasons for evicting your tenant, such as non-payment of rent or violation of the terms of the lease under Iowa Code § 562A.27.
2. Complete Our Eviction Notice Form
Provide detailed information about the rental property, including the full address, the name of the tenant, and the date that the lease was signed.
3. Send the Eviction Notice to the Tenant
The service of an eviction notice officially commences the legal eviction process. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be able to send the eviction notice by delivering it personally to the tenant, posting it to the tenant’s door, or delivering it by certified mail.

Iowa Notice Periods

Note that while these notice periods differ depending on the reason for eviction, Iowa law sets specific timeframes landlords must follow.

Nonpayment of Rent: 3 days (Iowa Code § 562A.27).

Lease Violation: 7 days (Iowa Code § 562A.27).

End of a Fixed-Term Lease: In most cases, no separate notice is required when a fixed-term lease simply expires and is not renewed (Iowa Code § 562A.34). LegalNature's Eviction Notice form will confirm whether Iowa requires any additional notice for your specific lease.

Month-to-Month or At-Will Tenancy: The notice period depends on the specific circumstances of the tenancy (Iowa Code § 562A.34). LegalNature's state-specific form automatically applies the correct timeframe based on your answers.

Note that certain circumstances require specialized notices. As state and local laws vary, it is important to understand the laws in your area. Regardless of which notice you need, each serves to exercise the legal rights afforded by the landlord-tenant relationship.

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LegalNature's dedicated team offers step-by-step guidance to navigate the nuances of eviction notice creation across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. LegalNature offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not happy, then we’re not happy. Give us a call and let us help.

Elements of an eviction notice document

Reason for eviction: LegalNature’s eviction notice form builder will guide you through selecting the appropriate reason for the eviction and includes the appropriate notice period options.

Notice period: Landlords must give the state-mandated minimum notice periods.

Tenant response timeline: Clearly state the time allowed for the tenant to: a) remedy any violation (if applicable), or b) vacate the property.

Serving the notice: Each state has different rules that landlords are required to know and follow to give their tenants proper notice. LegalNature’s form includes a Proof of Service page that helps landlords prove that their notice was properly served. While optional in many states, it is generally recommend that landlords use it.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between an eviction notice, notice to vacate, and notice to quit?

Any notice directing a resident to leave a property is considered be an “eviction notice.” Both a “notice to vacate” and a “notice to quit” are types of eviction notices that seek the same basic goal: to formally notify someone that they must leave the property. Some of the most common reasons for issuing an eviction notice are a lease violation or termination, mortgage foreclosure, or rent delinquency. Whether it be a notice to quit or a notice to vacate, all eviction notices must comply with applicable state laws in order to have any legal effect.

How is an eviction notice served in Iowa?

Iowa eviction notices are typically served by personal delivery to the tenant, delivery to a person residing at the rental unit, or, when necessary, posting on the property.

What is a notice for termination WITHOUT cause?

A notice for termination without cause is used by landlords to end a tenancy where the tenant has not done anything wrong. These types of eviction notices are frequently used by landlords who wish to raise the rent and need to remove the tenant in order to do so. In some jurisdictions, a 30-day notice to quit is used to end the tenancy of month-to-month rentals or a lease agreement that has been in existence for less than one year. A 60-day eviction notice is most frequently used to end a lease agreement that has been in existence for at least one year.

What is a notice for termination WITH cause?

Landlords use a notice for termination with cause to rectify a tenant’s failure to comply with obligations found within a lease agreement. A landlord should always be familiar with their local and state laws as the rules for serving an eviction notice can vary greatly.

Common causes are:

failure to pay rent,
damaging the property, or
violating one or more terms of the lease agreement.

Depending on applicable laws, a 3-day eviction notice may be used when a tenant has failed to pay rent and the landlord wants to remedy this situation as quickly as possible.

How long does an eviction notice take in Iowa?

The notice period in Iowa depends on the reason for eviction — see the Iowa Notice Periods section above for the specific timeframes and governing statutes. Once the notice period expires and the tenant has not complied, the landlord may proceed with filing a formal eviction action in court.

Iowa Eviction Notice

What is an eviction notice in Iowa?

When to use an eviction notice in Iowa

Use the type of notice that suits your needs the best

Complete an eviction notice in three easy steps

1. Determine the Grounds for Eviction

2. Complete Our Eviction Notice Form

3. Send the Eviction Notice to the Tenant

Iowa Notice Periods

Why choose LegalNature?

Elements of an eviction notice document

Frequently asked questions

Create your eviction notice in minutes

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