IMPORTANT - IOWA NOTICE TYPE SELECTION
Iowa eviction notices are governed by the Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), Iowa Code Chapter 562A. Select the notice type that matches your grounds for eviction. Using the wrong notice type or period will render the notice invalid.
NOTICE TYPE A - NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE
(For nonpayment of rent - Iowa Code § 562A.27(1))
[[Date of Notice]]
TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] and all other persons in possession of:
[[Full Rental Property Address, Unit Number (if any), City, Iowa, ZIP Code]]
FROM: [[Landlord Full Legal Name or Property Management Company Name]]
[[Landlord Address, City, State, ZIP]]
[[Landlord Phone / Email]]
You are hereby notified that you are in default for failure to pay rent due under your lease or rental agreement for the above-described premises.
Rent Past Due and Unpaid:
| Rental Period | Amount Owed |
|---|---|
| [[Month / Period 1]] | $[[Amount]] |
| [[Month / Period 2 (if applicable)]] | $[[Amount]] |
| TOTAL UNPAID RENT | $[[Total Amount Owed]] |
> Iowa Law Note: Only unpaid RENT may be demanded in a pay-or-quit notice under Iowa Code § 562A.27(1). Late fees, utilities, and other charges may NOT be included in this demand.
WITHIN 3 DAYS of service of this notice - that is, by [[Deadline Date, 3 calendar days from service date]] - you must:
- PAY IN FULL the total unpaid rent of $[[Total Amount Owed]] to [[Landlord or Agent Name]] at [[Payment Address or Method / Online Portal]]; OR
- VACATE AND SURRENDER possession of the premises in clean condition with all keys returned to the landlord.
If you fail to pay the rent in full OR vacate by the deadline stated above, the landlord may terminate this rental agreement and commence an eviction action (Forcible Entry and Detainer) in the Iowa District Court for [[County]] County without further notice. You may be held liable for court costs, attorneys' fees (if applicable), and all unpaid rent and damages allowed by Iowa law.
(Iowa Code § 562A.27(1): Landlord may deliver a written notice to the tenant specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement will terminate not less than 3 days after receipt of the notice unless the tenant pays the amount due.)
Landlord / Agent Signature: ________________________ Date: ___________
Printed Name: [[Landlord or Authorized Agent Name]]
Title: [[Owner / Property Manager / Authorized Agent]]
PROOF OF SERVICE - NOTICE TO PAY OR VACATE
I, [[Server Name]], certify that on [[Date of Service]] I served this Notice on the Tenant(s) named above by the following method(s) (check all applicable):
- [ ] Personal delivery to Tenant at the rental premises or wherever Tenant was found.
- [ ] Delivery to a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the rental premises: Name: [[Name]], Relationship: [[Relationship to Tenant]].
- [ ] Mailed by first-class mail AND left at the premises (affixed to the main entry door or placed in a conspicuous location). (Iowa Code § 562A.6.)
- [ ] Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested - Tracking No.: [[Tracking Number]].
(Iowa Code § 562A.6: Written notice is given when mailed by first-class mail or delivered personally.)
Server Name: ________________________ Date: ___________
Address: _________________________
NOTICE TYPE B - NOTICE TO CURE OR VACATE
(For lease violations - Iowa Code § 562A.27(2) - noncompliance materially affecting health and safety)
[[Date of Notice]]
TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] at:
[[Full Rental Property Address, City, Iowa, ZIP]]
FROM: [[Landlord Full Legal Name or Property Management Company]]
You are hereby notified that you are in material noncompliance with the terms of your rental agreement for the above-described premises as follows:
Description of Violation(s):
[[Describe the specific lease violation(s) in detail, e.g., "You are keeping an unauthorized pet in violation of your lease," "You have caused substantial damage to the rental unit," "You have engaged in repeated disruptive conduct affecting other tenants," or "You have an unauthorized occupant residing at the premises."]]
The violation(s) described above materially affect the health or safety of other tenants or the landlord's property, or constitute a material noncompliance with the rental agreement.
WITHIN 7 DAYS of service of this notice - that is, by [[Deadline Date, 7 calendar days from service date]] - you must:
- CURE the violation(s) described above AND provide written notice of the cure to the Landlord at [[Landlord Address / Email]]; OR
- VACATE AND SURRENDER possession of the premises to the Landlord.
(Iowa Code § 562A.27(2): Landlord shall deliver written notice specifying acts and omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement will terminate not less than 7 days after receipt unless the breach is cured.)
If you fail to cure the violation(s) OR vacate the premises by the deadline, the Landlord will terminate the rental agreement and file an eviction action in [[County]] County District Court without further notice.
Landlord / Agent Signature: ________________________ Date: ___________
Printed Name: [[Landlord or Authorized Agent Name]]
PROOF OF SERVICE - NOTICE TO CURE OR VACATE
Served on [[Date of Service]] by:
- [ ] Personal delivery
- [ ] Delivery to person of suitable age at rental premises
- [ ] First-class mail AND posting at premises (Iowa Code § 562A.6)
- [ ] Certified Mail - Tracking No.: [[Tracking Number]]
Server: ________________________ Date: ___________
NOTICE TYPE C - NOTICE OF TERMINATION / UNCONDITIONAL QUIT
(For repeat violations or no-cure situations - Iowa Code § 562A.27A / § 562A.27B)
[[Date of Notice]]
TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] at:
[[Full Rental Property Address, City, Iowa, ZIP]]
FROM: [[Landlord Full Legal Name or Property Management Company]]
You are hereby notified that your tenancy is TERMINATED for the following reason(s) (select applicable ground):
Repeat Violation - 30-Day Termination Notice (Iowa Code § 562A.27B)
- [ ] You have previously received a notice of noncompliance dated [[Prior Notice Date]] for [[prior violation]]. You remedied the violation at that time; however, within 6 months of the prior notice, you have again committed the same or similar violation, specifically: [[Describe current violation]]. This constitutes a repeated violation under Iowa Code § 562A.27B.
Under Iowa Code § 562A.27B, if a tenant is given a notice of noncompliance and the tenant remedies the breach, the landlord may give the tenant a written 30-day termination notice if the tenant substantially commits the same act within 6 months.
You are required to VACATE AND SURRENDER POSSESSION of the premises by:
[[Termination Date - 30 days from service of this notice]]
Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination (Iowa Code § 562A.34)
- [ ] Landlord hereby terminates your month-to-month tenancy. Under Iowa Code § 562A.34, at least 30 days' written notice is required for month-to-month tenancies.
Termination Date: [[Date - at least 30 days from service]]
Criminal Activity / Imminent Danger (Iowa Code § 562A.27A - immediate termination)
- [ ] You have engaged in or permitted criminal activity that threatens the health or safety of other tenants or the landlord, specifically: [[Describe the criminal activity or threatening conduct]]. Under Iowa Code § 562A.27A, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement immediately for criminal or drug-related activity. You are required to vacate IMMEDIATELY upon service of this notice.
(Iowa Code § 562A.27A: Notwithstanding other provisions of the chapter, a landlord may terminate a rental agreement and bring an action for immediate possession if the tenant or a person permitted on the premises by the tenant engages in criminal or drug-related activity.)
Failure to vacate by the date stated above will result in an eviction action being filed in [[County]] County District Court. You may be liable for holdover rent, court costs, and damages.
Landlord / Agent Signature: ________________________ Date: ___________
PROOF OF SERVICE
Served on [[Date of Service]] by:
- [ ] Personal delivery
- [ ] Person of suitable age at rental premises
- [ ] First-class mail AND posting at premises
- [ ] Certified Mail - Tracking No.: [[Tracking Number]]
Server: ________________________ Date: ___________
GENERAL NOTES - IOWA EVICTION PROCESS
Iowa Notice Period Summary (Iowa Code Ch. 562A)
| Ground | Notice Period | Iowa Statute | Cure Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment of rent | 3 calendar days | § 562A.27(1) | Yes - pay in full |
| Material lease violation (health/safety) | 7 calendar days | § 562A.27(2) | Yes - cure the violation |
| Repeat noncompliance (within 6 months) | 30 calendar days | § 562A.27B | No - no cure right |
| Criminal / drug-related activity | Immediate | § 562A.27A | No |
| Month-to-month termination (no-fault) | 30 calendar days | § 562A.34 | N/A |
| Lease expiration (fixed term) | No additional notice required | - | N/A |
Iowa Eviction Filing (Forcible Entry and Detainer)
If the tenant fails to pay, cure, or vacate within the applicable notice period, Landlord may file a Petition for Forcible Entry and Detainer in the Iowa District Court for the county where the rental property is located. Iowa Code Ch. 648. Filing fees vary (approximately $95-$185 as of 2026 - verify with the clerk). Landlord may request:
- Recovery of possession (writ of removal);
- Judgment for unpaid rent and damages; and
- Costs and attorneys' fees (as the court allows).
After filing, the court will schedule a hearing typically within 3-7 days. Service of process on the tenant is required before the hearing.
Iowa Landlord-Tenant Rights - Key Provisions
- Security Deposit Maximum: Iowa Code § 562A.12 - deposit shall not exceed 2 months' rent.
- Deposit Return: Iowa Code § 562A.12(3) - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days after termination.
- Entry Notice: Iowa Code § 562A.19 - Landlord must give at least 24 hours' notice before entering, except in emergencies.
- Habitability: Iowa Code § 562A.15 - Landlord must maintain premises in habitable condition.
- Retaliation Prohibited: Iowa Code § 562A.36 - Landlord may not retaliate against tenant for exercising legal rights.
SOURCES AND DISCLAIMER
Governing Statutes: Iowa Code § 562A.27(1) (3-day pay-or-quit); § 562A.27(2) (7-day cure-or-quit); § 562A.27A (immediate termination - criminal/drug activity); § 562A.27B (30-day termination - repeat violation within 6 months); § 562A.34 (30-day month-to-month termination); § 562A.6 (notice delivery - personal or first-class mail); § 562A.12 (security deposit - 2-month cap; 30-day return); § 562A.15 (landlord habitability obligations); § 562A.19 (entry - 24-hour notice); § 562A.36 (retaliation prohibition); Iowa Code Ch. 648 (Forcible Entry and Detainer). As of: June 2026. Verify current notice requirements and filing procedures with the Iowa Judicial Branch (iowacourts.gov) or an Iowa attorney.
> TEMPLATE DISCLAIMER - NOT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE: This document is a template for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Iowa eviction procedures are strictly regulated, and procedural errors can invalidate a notice and require starting over. Consult a licensed Iowa attorney before serving an eviction notice.
