Iowa Late Fee Law
Iowa limits residential late fees by statute. Rent ≤ $700/month: max $12 per day and $60 per month; rent > $700/month: max $20 per day and $100 per month. State law sets no grace period, so any grace period comes from the lease.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Iowa late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | Rent ≤ $700/month: max $12 per day and $60 per month; rent > $700/month: max $20 per day and $100 per monthIowa Code § 562A.9(4) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | No state grace periodIowa Code § 562A.9(3), (4) |
| Notice before filing for unpaid rent | 3 days (3-day notice to pay rent or quit)Iowa Code § 562A.27(2) |
What Iowa law says
Is there a limit on late fees in Iowa?
Late fees may not exceed $12 per day or $60 per month when rent is $700 or less, or $20 per day or $100 per month when rent is more than $700 (Iowa Code § 562A.9(4)).
Does Iowa require a grace period before a late fee?
Iowa law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due when the rental agreement says (Iowa Code § 562A.9(3), (4)).
How much notice must an Iowa landlord give for unpaid rent?
If rent is unpaid when due, serve a written notice of nonpayment stating the landlord will end the rental agreement unless rent is paid within three days, and the landlord may terminate if it is not paid (Iowa Code § 562A.27(2)).
How Iowa compares
20 of 51 verified jurisdictions cap late fees by statute. 14 require a grace period.
None of Iowa's 6 neighbors follows the same rule.
Other Iowa rules
| Security deposit limit | 2 months' rentIowa Code § 562A.12(1) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after the lease endsIowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a) |
| Entry notice | 24 hours' noticeIowa Code § 562A.19 |
| Rent-increase notice | 30 days (The increase may not take effect before the original rental agreement (or any renewal or extension) expires)Iowa Code § 562A.13(5) |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)Iowa Code § 562A.34 |