Iowa security deposit law

Read from the statute itself on 2026-11-09. Statewide rule; a city or county can add its own.

Maximum deposit: 2 months of rent
Return deadline: 30 days
Interest: Not required by the statute

Up to two months' rent, returned within thirty days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. Bad-faith retention: punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent; with no address within one year, it reverts to the landlord. No interest is owed to the tenant.

Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12(1), (3) · read on 2026-11-09

Calculate it for your rent

State

Monthly rent ($)

Maximum legal deposit

$5,000

Up to 2 months of rent under Iowa Code § 562A.12(1), (3).

Return deadline

30 days

30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address, whichever is later: the deposit, or a written statement of reasons for keeping any. Missing it forfeits the right to withhold.

Interest required

Not required by the statute

Iowa: Up to two months' rent, returned within thirty days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. Bad-faith retention: punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent; with no address within one year, it reverts to the landlord. No interest is owed to the tenant.

Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12(1), (3) · read on 2026-11-09

Iowa: common questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Iowa?

Up to 2 months of rent under Iowa Code § 562A.12(1), (3). Up to two months' rent, returned within thirty days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. Bad-faith retention: punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent; with no address within one year, it reverts to the landlord. No interest is owed to the tenant.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Iowa?

30 days. 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address, whichever is later: the deposit, or a written statement of reasons for keeping any. Missing it forfeits the right to withhold.

Not legal advice. Confirm with a local landlord-tenant attorney before relying on a figure.

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<p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Free <a href="https://www.proprietio.com/tools/security-deposit-calculator">security deposit calculator by state</a> by Proprietio.</p>