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Free Iowa Rental Application Form - Fill Online, Sign & Download the PDF
Iowa lets landlords collect up to two months' rent as a security deposit and caps late fees on a sliding scale tied to your rent (Iowa Code § 562A.12, 562A.9). Iowa is also one of only a few states that bar its own cities from protecting renters who pay with a Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher. Fill it out below with plain-English help on every field, then sign and download your completed PDF free.
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Iowa rental application rules to know
- •Security deposit cap: an Iowa landlord may not demand more than two months' rent as a security deposit (Iowa Code § 562A.12).
- •Deposit return: within 30 days after you move out and give a forwarding address, the landlord must return the deposit with an itemized statement of any deductions; a landlord who withholds in bad faith can owe punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, on top of your actual damages and attorney fees (Iowa Code § 562A.12(7)).
- •Late fees are capped by statute: if monthly rent is $700 or less, no more than $12 per day and $60 per month; if rent is over $700, no more than $20 per day and $100 per month (Iowa Code § 562A.9).
- •Application fees: Iowa sets no cap on rental application or screening fees, so confirm the amount and what it covers before you pay.
- •Source of income: Iowa has no statewide source-of-income protection, and a 2021 state law voided local ordinances that required landlords to accept Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers, so those city protections are unenforceable (Iowa Code § 364.3, 331.304).
- •Criminal history: Iowa has no statewide fair-chance housing law, so landlords may ask about and consider criminal records, though a blanket ban on anyone with a record can still create Fair Housing Act disparate-impact liability.
- •Fair housing: beyond the federal seven, Iowa also protects creed and sexual orientation; note that gender identity was removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Act effective July 1, 2025 (Iowa Code ch. 216).
Last reviewed 2026-07-15. General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
How much can an Iowa landlord charge for a security deposit?
Up to two months' rent (Iowa Code § 562A.12). Any amount above that is not allowed for a residential lease.
When must I get my security deposit back in Iowa?
Within 30 days after your tenancy ends and you provide a forwarding address, along with an itemized list of any deductions (Iowa Code § 562A.12). A landlord who keeps it in bad faith can be ordered to pay punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, on top of your actual damages and attorney fees (Iowa Code § 562A.12(7)).
Are late fees limited in Iowa?
Yes. For rent of $700 or less a month the late fee cannot exceed $12 per day or $60 per month; for rent above $700 it cannot exceed $20 per day or $100 per month (Iowa Code § 562A.9).
Can an Iowa city require landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers?
No. A 2021 state law made local source-of-income ordinances void and unenforceable as of January 1, 2023, so no Iowa city or county can require landlords to take Housing Choice vouchers (Iowa Code § 364.3, 331.304).
Is there a cap on rental application fees in Iowa?
No. Iowa does not limit application or screening fees. Ask the landlord how much the fee is and what it pays for before you submit it.
Can Iowa landlords ask about criminal history?
Yes. Iowa has no statewide fair-chance housing law, so a criminal-history question is allowed on this form. Landlords should be aware that a blanket rejection of anyone with a record can still expose them to Fair Housing Act disparate-impact claims.
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For landlords: the tenant application form and the rental verification form.