Section 562A.1 – Short title.
562A.1 Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act”. [C79, 81, §562A.1]
Section 562A.10 – Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement.
562A.10 Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement. 1. If a landlord does not sign and deliver a written rental agreement signed and delivered to the landlord by the tenant, acceptance of rent without reservation by the landlord gives the rental agreement the same effect as if it had been signed and delivered by the […]
Section 562A.11 – Prohibited provisions in rental agreements.
562A.11 Prohibited provisions in rental agreements. 1. A rental agreement shall not provide that the tenant or landlord does any of the following: a. Agrees to waive or to forego rights or remedies under this chapter provided that this restriction shall not apply to rental agreements covering single family residences on land assessed as agricultural […]
Section 562A.12 – Rental deposits.
562A.12 Rental deposits. 1. A landlord shall not demand or receive as a security deposit an amount or value in excess of two months’ rent. 2. All rental deposits shall be held by the landlord for the tenant, who is a party to the agreement, in a bank or savings and loan association or credit […]
Section 562A.13 – Disclosure.
562A.13 Disclosure. 1. The landlord or a person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on behalf of the landlord shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and address of: a. The person authorized to manage the premises. b. An owner of the premises or […]
Section 562A.14 – Landlord to supply possession of dwelling unit.
562A.14 Landlord to supply possession of dwelling unit. At the commencement of the term, the landlord shall deliver possession of the premises to the tenant in compliance with the rental agreement and section 562A.15. The landlord may bring an action for possession against a person wrongfully in possession and may recover the damages provided in […]
Section 562A.15 – Landlord to maintain fit premises.
562A.15 Landlord to maintain fit premises. 1. a. The landlord shall: (1) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. (2) Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition. (3) Keep all common areas of the […]
Section 562A.16 – Limitation of liability.
562A.16 Limitation of liability. 1. Unless otherwise agreed, a landlord, who conveys premises that include a dwelling unit subject to a rental agreement in a good faith sale to a bona fide purchaser, is relieved of liability under the rental agreement and this chapter as to events occurring subsequent to written notice to the tenant […]
Section 562A.17 – Tenant to maintain dwelling unit.
562A.17 Tenant to maintain dwelling unit. The tenant shall: 1. Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. 2. Keep that part of the premises that the tenant occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit. […]
Section 562A.18 – Rules.
562A.18 Rules. 1. A landlord, from time to time, may adopt rules, however described, concerning the tenant’s use and occupancy of the premises. A rule is enforceable against the tenant only if it is written and if: a. Its purpose is to promote the convenience, safety, or welfare of the tenants in the premises, preserve […]
Section 562A.19 – Access.
562A.19 Access. 1. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors. 2. […]
Section 562A.2 – Purposes — rules of construction.
562A.2 Purposes — rules of construction. 1. This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies. 2. Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are: a. To simplify, clarify, modernize and revise the law governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlord and tenant; […]
Section 562A.20 – Tenant to use and occupy.
562A.20 Tenant to use and occupy. Unless otherwise agreed, the tenant shall occupy the dwelling unit only as a dwelling unit and uses incidental thereto. The rental agreement may require that the tenant notify the landlord of an anticipated extended absence from the premises not later than the first day of the extended absence. [C79, […]
Section 562A.21 – Noncompliance by the landlord — in general.
562A.21 Noncompliance by the landlord — in general. 1. Except as provided in this chapter, if there is a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with section 562A.15 materially affecting health and safety, the tenant may elect to commence an action under this section and shall deliver a written […]
Section 562A.22 – Failure to deliver possession.
562A.22 Failure to deliver possession. 1. If the landlord fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant as provided in section 562A.14, rent abates until possession is delivered and the tenant shall: a. Upon at least five days’ written notice to the landlord, terminate the rental agreement and upon termination the landlord […]
Section 562A.23 – Wrongful failure to supply heat, water, hot water or essential services.
562A.23 Wrongful failure to supply heat, water, hot water or essential services. 1. If contrary to the rental agreement or section 562A.15 the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply running water, hot water, or heat, or essential services, the tenant may give written notice to the landlord specifying the breach and may: a. Procure […]
Section 562A.24 – Landlord’s noncompliance as defense to action for possession or rent.
562A.24 Landlord’s noncompliance as defense to action for possession or rent. 1. In an action for possession based upon nonpayment of the rent or in an action for rent where the tenant is in possession, the tenant may counterclaim for an amount which the tenant may recover under the rental agreement or this chapter. In […]
Section 562A.25 – Fire or casualty damage.
562A.25 Fire or casualty damage. 1. If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the tenant may: a. Immediately vacate the premises and notify the landlord in writing within fourteen days of the tenant’s intention to terminate […]
Section 562A.26 – Tenant’s remedies for landlord’s unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service.
562A.26 Tenant’s remedies for landlord’s unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service. If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or willfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric, gas, water, or other essential service to the tenant, the tenant may recover possession pursuant to […]
Section 562A.27 – Noncompliance with rental agreement — failure to pay rent — violation of federal regulation.
562A.27 Noncompliance with rental agreement — failure to pay rent — violation of federal regulation. 1. Except as provided in this chapter, if there is a material noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with section 562A.17 materially affecting health and safety, the landlord may deliver a written notice to the […]