Free Iowa Rental Lease Agreement

Sample Iowa Rental Lease Agreement

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS RESIDENTIAL LEASE (the "Lease") dated this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

BETWEEN:

_______________

(the "Landlord")

- AND-

_______________

(the "Tenant")

(individually the "Party" and collectively the "Parties")

IN CONSIDERATION OF the Landlord leasing certain premises to the Tenant and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

    Leased Property

  1. The Landlord agrees to rent to the Tenant the house, municipally described as ______________________, ______________________, Iowa, ______________________ (the "Property"), for use as residential premises only.
  2. No guests of the Tenants may occupy the Property for longer than one week without the prior written consent of the Landlord.
  3. Term

  4. The term of the Lease is a periodic commencing at 12:00 noon on _____________of _____________, 20___ and continuing on a month-to-month basis until the Landlord or the Tenant terminates the tenancy.
  5. Rent

  6. Subject to the provisions of this Lease, the rent for the Property is $_____________ per week (the "Rent").
  7. The Tenant will pay the Rent weekly, on or before ______________ of each and every week of the term of this Lease to the Landlord at ______________________, ______________________, State of Iowa, ______________________ or at such other place as the Landlord may later designate by Cash.
  8. Tenant Improvements

  9. The Tenant will obtain written permission from the Landlord before doing any of the following:
    1. applying adhesive materials, or inserting nails or hooks in walls or ceilings other than two small picture hooks per wall;
    2. painting, wallpapering, redecorating or in any way significantly altering the appearance of the Property;
    3. removing or adding walls, or performing any structural alterations;
    4. installing a waterbed(s);
    5. changing the amount of heat or power normally used on the Property as well as installing additional electrical wiring or heating units;
    6. placing or exposing or allowing to be placed or exposed anywhere inside or outside the Property any placard, notice or sign for advertising or any other purpose; or
    7. affixing to or erecting upon or near the Property any radio or TV antenna or tower.
  10. Insurance

  11. The Tenant is hereby advised and understands that the personal property of the Tenant is not insured by the Landlord for either damage or loss, and the Landlord assumes no liability for any such loss.
  12. Attorney Fees

  13. In the event that any action is filed in relation to this Lease, the unsuccessful Party in the action will pay to the successful Party, in addition to all the sums that either Party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful Party's attorney fees.
  14. Governing Law

  15. This Lease will be construed in accordance with and exclusively governed by the laws of the State of Iowa.
  16. Severability

  17. If there is a conflict between any provision of this Lease and the applicable legislation of the State of Iowa (the "Act"), the Act will prevail and such provisions of the Lease will be amended or deleted as necessary in order to comply with the Act. Further, any provisions that are required by the Act are incorporated into this Lease.
  18. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Lease will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Lease.  Such other provisions remain in full force and effect.
  19. Amendment of Lease

  20. This Lease may only be amended or modified by a written document executed by the Parties.
  21. Damage to Property

  22. If the Property should be damaged other than by the Tenant's negligence or willful act or that of the Tenant's employee, family, agent, or visitor and the Landlord decides not to rebuild or repair the Property, the Landlord may end this Lease by giving appropriate notice.
  23. Care and Use of Property

  24. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord of any damage, or of any situation that may significantly interfere with the normal use of the Property or to any furnishings supplied by the Landlord.
  25. The Tenant will not engage in any illegal trade or activity on or about the Property.
  26. The Parties will comply with standards of health, sanitation, fire, housing and safety as required by law.
  27. The Parties will use reasonable efforts to maintain the Property in such a condition as to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord in writing of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold discovered by the Tenant. The Landlord will promptly respond to any such written notices from the Tenant.
  28. If the Tenant is absent from the Property and the Property is unoccupied for a period of 4 consecutive days or longer, the Tenant will arrange for regular inspection by a competent person. The Landlord will be notified in advance as to the name, address and phone number of the person doing the inspections.
  29. At the expiration of the term of this Lease, the Tenant will quit and surrender the Property in as good a state and condition as they were at the commencement of this Lease, reasonable use and wear and tear excepted.
  30. Rules and Regulations

  31. The Tenant will obey all rules and regulations of the Landlord regarding the Property.
  32. Address for Notice

  33. For any matter relating to this tenancy, the Tenant may be contacted at the Property or through the phone number below. After this tenancy has been terminated, the contact information of the Tenant is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Phone: ______________________
  34. For any matter relating to this tenancy, whether during or after this tenancy has been terminated, the Landlord's address for notice is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Address: ______________________, ______________________, State of Iowa, ______________________

      The contact information for the Landlord is:

    3. Phone: ______________________
  35. General Provisions

  36. All monetary amounts stated or referred to in this Lease are based in the United States dollar.
  37. Any waiver by the Landlord of any failure by the Tenant to perform or observe the provisions of this Lease will not operate as a waiver of the Landlord's rights under this Lease in respect of any subsequent defaults, breaches or non-performance and will not defeat or affect in any way the Landlord's rights in respect of any subsequent default or breach.
  38. This Lease will extend to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as the case may be, of each Party. All covenants are to be construed as conditions of this Lease.
  39. All sums payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease will be deemed to be additional rent and will be recovered by the Landlord as rental arrears.
  40. Where there is more than one Tenant executing this Lease, all Tenants are jointly and severally liable for each other's acts, omissions and liabilities pursuant to this Lease.
  41. Locks may not be added or changed without the prior written agreement of both Parties, or unless the changes are made in compliance with the Act.
  42. The Tenant will be charged an additional amount of $25.00 for each N.S.F. check or checks returned by the Tenant's financial institution.
  43. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the Parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Lease. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine mean and include the feminine and vice versa.
  44. This Lease may be executed in counterparts. Facsimile signatures are binding and are considered to be original signatures.
  45. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.
  46. During the last 30 days of this Lease, the Landlord or the Landlord's agents will have the privilege of displaying the usual 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' or 'Vacancy' signs on the Property.
  47. Time is of the essence in this Lease.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF _______________ and _______________ have duly affixed their signatures on this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

_________________________________
Landlord: _______________

  _________________________________
Tenant: _______________

The Tenant acknowledges receiving a duplicate copy of this Lease signed by the Tenant and the Landlord on the _____ day of ______________________, 20____.

_________________________________
Tenant: _______________

   

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Iowa, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has NO knowledge of any lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports relating to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
Date: 17th day of April, 2020

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of:

  1. the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including the above-mentioned reports and records; and
  2. the pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (EPA-747-K-99-001) or an equivalent pamphlet that has been approved for use in the state by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

The pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home can be ordered in hard copy or can be printed from the website http://www2.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-lead-your-home.


Asbestos Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Iowa, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has investigated and there is no asbestos in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports with respect to asbestos in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including any reports and records.

Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

Iowa Rental Lease Agreement

The state of Iowa has set rules and regulations that govern residential rental units. In this article, we shall share the landlord-tenant laws on security deposits, rent, fees and leases, notices and entry, disclosures and court-related matters.

  • Official Rules and Regulations

    • The Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - Iowa Code §§ 562A

    • Limitation of actions - Iowa Code §§ 614.1

    • Legislative Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law – Iowa Legislative Services Agency

  • Security Deposit

    • The security deposit maximum isn’t more than two months’ worth of rent.

    • There is security deposit interest earned and any interest earned on the rent deposit in the first five years of tenancy is the landlord’s property.

    • Separate security deposit bank account: the deposits are held in federally-insured banks or any other financial institution. The deposit cannot commingle with the landlord’s personal funds

    • There are no statutes on pet deposits or non-refundable fees

    • The deadline for returning the security deposit is 30 days from the day the tenant moves out.

    • The security deposit can be used for:

      • Covering unpaid rent or the funds due to the landlord

      • Restoration of the unit to the condition it was before the tenant moved in

      • Recovering expenses incurred in possessing the premises from the tenant who doesn’t act in good faith and fails to surrender and vacate the premise even after noncompliance.

    • There should be a written description or an itemized list of damages and charges given with 30 days after the tenant moves out.

    • Record keeping of deposit withholdings is important, and the landlord may have to prove their reason for withholding the deposit.

    • There is no statute stipulating receipts of deposit.

    • In case of failure to comply:

If the landlord fails to give a written statement of deposit withholdings, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit. This is provided for under the law in (§§ 562A.12(4) and (7)).

  • Lease, Fees, and Rent

    • In the rental lease agreement, rent is due at the beginning of the term unless it is agreed otherwise.

    • For rent increase, at least 30 days of written notice is necessary before the effective date.

    • There is no statute for rent grace periods prepaid rent

    • The late fees charges will vary. If the rent is $700 per month or less, the late fee is up to $12 per day or $60 per month. But, if the rent is above $700 per month, the late fees charged is $20 per day of $100 per month.

    • The returned check fees do not exceed $30.

    • The tenant can withhold the rent if the landlord fails to provide essential services

    • The tenant can repair and deduct rent

    • The landlord can recover court and attorney fees

    • The landlord must make reasonable attempts to mitigate damages to the lessee, including attempts to re-rent.

    • There is no statute governing abandonment or early termination fees.

  • Notices and Entry

    • Notice isn’t necessary for the termination of fixed end-date leases

    • For year-long tenancies with no fixed end dates, the landlord or the tenant may terminate tenancy lasting more than a month by giving written notice to the other party, at least 30 days before the end of the first or the subsequent term.

    • For monthly leases, a 30 days’ notice should be given by either party 30 days before the periodic rental date specified.

    • Ten days’ notice is ideal for weekly notices

    • A 3 days’ notice of termination and a notice to quit is required for the termination of tenancy for the creation of clear and present danger to others.

    • There are no statutes for move out inspection time and date

    • A 3 days’ notice is needed for termination of a lease because of violation, and there is an unconditional termination for lease violation if the violation is repeated within six months of the previous notice.

    • You need a 24 hours’ notice before entry

    • Entry is allowed, with notice, for showings and emergency entry is allowed without notice

    • If the tenant abandons the premises, then the entry is allowed in case of a tenant’s extended absence.

    • There is no statute governing the issuance of notices to tenants for pesticide use.

    • Lockout and utility shutoffs are unacceptable

Disclosures and Miscellaneous notes

This has names and addresses, utility rates, environmental liability, a copy of leases, utility rates, domestic violence status, retaliation, lead disclosure, and the landlord and tenant duties.

  • Court-related

    • In the Iowa small claims courts, you will pay $5000 in limits, and the courts allow eviction cases.

    • The Statute of Limitations allows the use of written contracts for ten years and oral contracts for five years.

    • You can also get legal aid

Business Licenses

There are no state-wide statutes though counties and cities may have regulations and even requirements.

In case you need more information on rental lease agreement in Iowa, fill in our lease agreement form today.

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IA Rental Lease Agreement

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