Iowa Eviction Notice Requirements (Sec. 562A.27, 562A.27A)

Under Iowa Code Sec. 562A.27(2), 'if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent within three days after written notice by the landlord of nonpayment and the landlord's intention to terminate,' the landlord may terminate and bring a forcible entry and detainer action under Chapter 648. For other material noncompliance, Sec. 562A.27(1) requires written notice that the agreement terminates 'not less than seven days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in seven days.' Iowa Code Sec. 562A.27A allows termination after a single three days' notice to quit when a tenant 'has created or maintained a threat constituting a clear and present danger to the health or safety' of others, such as assault or illegal weapon use.

Filing for possession without the required 3-day nonpayment notice or 7-day cure notice defeats the action. Self-help eviction is barred; Iowa Code Sec. 562A.36 lets an unlawfully ousted tenant recover possession or terminate and obtain up to two months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.