Rental Property Rules in Des Moines, IA (2026)
7 verified rental property rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Iowa law preempts most municipal rent regulation. Des Moines cannot cap rent increases on private market-rate housing, and tenants rely on lease terms and the Iowa URLTA in Iowa Code Ch. 562A for protections.
Iowa Largely Preempts Local Rent Control
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Des Moines does not impose a just-cause eviction standard. Under the Iowa URLTA, Iowa Code Ch. 562A, landlords may end month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice for any non-discriminatory reason.
No Just-Cause Eviction Standard
Few RestrictionsIowa Code § 562A.34 (Periodic tenancy — holdover remedies)
562A.34 Periodic tenancy — holdover remedies. 1. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least ten days prior to the termination date specified in the notice. 2. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date specified...
Rental Registration
Des Moines requires owners of residential rental property to register and obtain a rental certificate of compliance. Periodic inspections through the rental housing program enforce minimum housing standards under Code Ch. 60.
Rental Housing Registration Required
Some RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Iowa Code Ch. 562A.12 limits residential security deposits to two months rent and requires return within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Des Moines follows this state standard.
Security Deposit Capped at Two Months
Some RestrictionsIowa Code § 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... in a bank or savings and loan association or credit union which is insured by an agency of the federal government. Rental deposits shall not be commingled with the personal funds of the l...
Tenant Anti-Harassment
Des Moines does not have a standalone tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenant protections come from Iowa Code 562A.36 retaliation rules and federal Fair Housing Act standards prohibiting harassment based on protected class.
Anti-Harassment via URLTA Retaliation Rules
Some RestrictionsIowa Code § 562A.36 (Retaliatory conduct prohibited)
562A.36 Retaliatory conduct prohibited. 1. Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after: a. The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materi...
Source-of-Income Discrimination
Des Moines amended its Civil and Human Rights Code to bar housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Landlords may not refuse a tenant solely because rent is paid with a voucher.
Section 8 Source-of-Income Protection
Heavy RestrictionsSection 8 Voucher Acceptance
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders in Des Moines are protected from refusal under the citys source-of-income ordinance. Landlords with covered units must accept vouchers from otherwise qualified applicants and follow standard screening.