Iowa Statewide Rule
Iowa Habitability and Repair Duties (Sec. 562A.15)
Key Facts
- Core duty
- Keep premises 'fit and habitable' (Sec. 562A.15(1))
- Required services
- Running water, reasonable hot water and heat
- Cure period to terminate
- 7 days (Sec. 562A.21)
- Essential-services remedy
- Repair-and-deduct (Sec. 562A.23)
Summary
Iowa Code Sec. 562A.15 requires landlords to keep rental units fit and habitable, comply with codes affecting health and safety, maintain common areas and major systems, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and heat. Tenants may terminate after a 7-day cure window (Sec. 562A.21) or repair and deduct for lost essential services (Sec. 562A.23).
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 premises in a clean and safe condition. The landlord shall not be liable for any injury caused by any objects or materials which belong to or which have been placed by a tenant in the common areas of the premises used by the tenant. (4) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord. (5) Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences, accessible to all tenants, for the central collection and removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their removal.
Full Breakdown
Iowa Code Sec. 562A.15(1) requires the landlord to 'make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition,' comply with codes 'materially affecting health and safety,' keep common areas clean and safe, maintain all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating and air-conditioning facilities, and 'supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable heat.' If the landlord materially breaches, the tenant may serve written notice under Sec. 562A.21 terminating the agreement in not less than seven days if the breach is not cured. For lost heat, water or essential services, Sec. 562A.23 lets the tenant procure the service and deduct the cost, recover reduced rental value, or recover rent paid pro rata.
Violations & Penalties
Tenants may terminate after a 7-day uncured breach (Sec. 562A.21), recover damages and injunctive relief, and for lost essential services repair-and-deduct or recover diminished rental value (Sec. 562A.23); a willful breach allows recovery of reasonable attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must an Iowa landlord repair?
Can an Iowa tenant withhold rent or make repairs for a bad condition?
Sources
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