Grounds for Eviction

There are three major reasons for eviction in Iowa:

• Not paying rent. Iowa Code section 562A.27(2).
• Violating the terms of the rental agreement or failing to maintain the rental unit in a way that affects health and safety. Iowa Code section 562A.27(1).
• The tenant’s lease comes to an end and the tenant doesn’t leave the property. Iowa Code section 562A.34.

The eviction process is the same for each reason, but the notice the landlord has to give to the tenant can be different depending on the reason.

Other grounds for eviction do exist, such as creating a danger to the landlord or other tenants. Iowa Code section 562A.27A.

To understand the legal requirements for eviction actions in Iowa, you should carefully read both Iowa Code chapter 562A and Iowa Code chapter 648. Iowa Code chapter 562A requires certain notices before terminating a lease. Iowa Code section 648.3 then requires an additional “notice to quit” (in most cases) before bringing an eviction action under Iowa Code chapter 648.

For more information on evictions in Iowa, visit the Iowa Legal Aid website.