How long does a landlord in Iowa have to return a security deposit?
30 calendar days
Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a) runs the thirty days 'from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions', so the clock does not start until the landlord has both. The address need not be a 'forwarding address' in so many words — delivery instructions suffice — and the statute does not expressly say it must be in writing. Section 562A.12(4) adds the cliff: if no mailing address or instructions reach the landlord within one year from termination of the tenancy, the deposit reverts to the landlord and the tenant is deemed to have forfeited all rights to it.
In plain terms, the statute says
Under § 562A.12(7) the bad-faith retention of the deposit or any portion of it subjects the landlord to punitive damages not to exceed twice the monthly rental payment, in addition to actual damages, so the punitive award requires a finding of bad faith. Separately and with no bad-faith finding required, § 562A.12(4) makes a landlord who fails to provide the written statement within the thirty days forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of the deposit, and § 562A.12(8) lets the court award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.
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Questions people ask
How long does a landlord in Iowa have to return a security deposit?
Iowa: 30 calendar days. Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a) runs the thirty days 'from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions', so the clock does not start until the landlord has both. The address need not be a 'forwarding address' in so many words — delivery instructions suffice — and the statute does not expressly say it must be in writing. Section 562A.12(4) adds the cliff: if no mailing address or instructions reach the landlord within one year from termination of the tenancy, the deposit reverts to the landlord and the tenant is deemed to have forfeited all rights to it.
What happens if a landlord in Iowa is late?
Under § 562A.12(7) the bad-faith retention of the deposit or any portion of it subjects the landlord to punitive damages not to exceed twice the monthly rental payment, in addition to actual damages, so the punitive award requires a finding of bad faith. Separately and with no bad-faith finding required, § 562A.12(4) makes a landlord who fails to provide the written statement within the thirty days forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of the deposit, and § 562A.12(8) lets the court award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.
Where can I read Iowa's security-deposit law?
Iowa's rule is in Iowa Code § 562A.12. The link on this page goes to the official text, so you can read the section yourself rather than take our word for it.
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