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Clive is a suburban city in Polk County, Iowa, situated along the western edge of the Des Moines metropolitan area. With a population of roughly 17,000 and steady residential growth, Clive attracts a broad mix of renters — from young professionals to families — drawn by its proximity to the Des Moines job market and well-regarded public schools. Apartment complexes and single-family rentals make up a meaningful share of the housing stock, and renters frequently search for information about deposit rules, rent increases, and what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Clive has not enacted any local tenant protections beyond what Iowa state law provides. All landlord-tenant relationships in Clive are governed by Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law (Iowa Code Chapter 562A), which establishes baseline standards for habitability, security deposits, notice requirements, and anti-retaliation protections. Understanding these state-level rules is the foundation of knowing your rights as a Clive renter.
This page summarizes the key protections available to Clive tenants under Iowa law as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed Iowa attorney or Iowa Legal Aid for guidance specific to your situation.
Clive has no rent control, and Iowa state law does not authorize local governments to enact rent control ordinances. Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law (Iowa Code Chapter 562A) governs the landlord-tenant relationship statewide and does not contain any mechanism allowing municipalities like Clive to cap rent levels or limit rent increases. As a result, no Iowa city currently has rent control.
In practice, this means your landlord in Clive can raise your rent to any amount — but only at the appropriate time and with proper advance notice. For a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Iowa Code § 562A.13). For a fixed-term lease, the rent cannot be changed until the lease term ends unless the lease itself provides otherwise. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of any rent increase.
If you receive a rent increase notice, verify that the required notice period was met. An increase that takes effect before the required notice period expires may be legally challengeable. Beyond that procedural protection, Iowa renters have no statutory right to contest the amount of a rent increase.
Iowa Code Chapter 562A — the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law — applies to virtually all residential rental agreements in Clive and establishes the following core protections for tenants:
Habitability and Repairs (Iowa Code § 562A.15 & § 562A.21): Landlords in Clive must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes ensuring structural soundness, functioning plumbing and heating, safe electrical systems, and freedom from pest infestation. If your landlord fails to make a required repair, you must first provide written notice. After written notice, the landlord has 7 days to remedy an emergency condition or 30 days for non-emergency defects. If the landlord does not comply, Iowa Code § 562A.21 allows tenants to pursue remedies including repair-and-deduct (for repairs costing up to one month's rent) or rent escrow through the court system.
Security Deposit Rules (Iowa Code § 562A.12): Deposits are capped at two months' rent and must be returned within 30 days of move-out along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice Requirements (Iowa Code § 562A.34): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, either party must provide at least 30 days' written notice before the rental period ends. For a week-to-week tenancy, at least 10 days' written notice is required.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Iowa Code § 562A.36): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government agency, complaining to the landlord about habitability issues, or otherwise exercising a legal right. Retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction. If retaliation is proven, the tenant may recover actual damages, attorney's fees, and other appropriate relief.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Iowa Code § 562A.26): Self-help eviction is illegal in Iowa. A landlord cannot remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or deliberately cut off utilities such as heat, water, or electricity as a means of forcing a tenant to leave. These actions are prohibited without a court order, and a tenant subjected to such conduct is entitled to recover actual damages.
Iowa Code § 562A.12 governs security deposits for all residential rentals in Clive, including those within Polk County's jurisdiction.
Maximum Deposit Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. This cap applies regardless of the number of tenants or the condition of the property at the time of rental.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends and you vacate the unit, your landlord has 30 days to either return your full deposit or provide you with a written, itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance. The statement must explain each specific deduction.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specifically authorized by the lease. Normal wear and tear — such as minor scuffs, faded paint, or carpet worn from ordinary use — cannot legally be deducted from your deposit.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of your security deposit without a proper itemized statement, Iowa Code § 562A.12(7) entitles you to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. To protect your claim, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photographs and written records, and provide your landlord with your forwarding address in writing.
Iowa Code Chapter 562A and Iowa Code Chapter 648 (Forcible Entry and Detainer) govern the eviction process for Clive tenants. Iowa law does not require a landlord to have 'just cause' to terminate a month-to-month lease, but the landlord must follow strict procedural steps. Skipping any step can invalidate the eviction.
Step 1 — Required Notice: The type of written notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord must file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) action in Polk County District Court. The landlord cannot remove you or your belongings without a court order.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few days to a few weeks of filing. You have the right to appear, present defenses, and contest the eviction. Common defenses include improper notice, retaliation, or the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of possession is issued. Only the sheriff can legally enforce removal of the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under Iowa Code § 562A.26, a landlord may never change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove your belongings to force you out without a court order. If your landlord does any of these things, you are entitled to recover actual damages and may have grounds to remain in possession of the unit.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Iowa and the City of Clive can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem or question, you should consult a licensed Iowa attorney or contact Iowa Legal Aid. RentCheckMe makes no warranty that the information on this page is complete, current, or accurate as of the date you read it.
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