Des Moines is Iowa's largest city, home to approximately 215,000 residents in Polk County, with renters making up a substantial share of the housing market. The city's rental stock ranges from older single-family homes and duplexes in historic neighborhoods to large apartment complexes near the downtown core and Drake University. Renters most commonly search for answers about security deposit returns, rent increase limits, habitability issues, and what to do when facing eviction.
All residential tenancies in Des Moines are governed by Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, found at Iowa Code Chapter 562A. This law sets clear standards for lease terms, security deposits, landlord maintenance obligations, eviction procedures, and protections against landlord retaliation. There are no additional local ordinances in Des Moines that go beyond state law, so Iowa Code § 562A is the primary legal framework for Des Moines renters.
This page provides a plain-language summary of the tenant rights that apply in Des Moines. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual situations vary — if you are facing eviction or a serious housing dispute, contact Iowa Legal Aid or a licensed Iowa attorney for guidance specific to your circumstances.
Des Moines has no rent control, and Iowa state law makes local rent control ordinances effectively impossible. Iowa Code Chapter 562A — the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law — governs residential tenancies statewide and does not authorize any form of rent stabilization or rent control at the local level. Iowa has never enacted a rent control statute, and no Iowa municipality, including Des Moines, has a local rent control ordinance in effect.
In practice, this means a landlord in Des Moines can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least 30 days' written notice under Iowa Code § 562A.34. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be raised until the lease term ends unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
Because there is no cap on rent increases, Des Moines renters should carefully review lease renewal terms and understand their notice rights. If you believe a rent increase is being used to retaliate against you for reporting code violations or exercising a legal right, that may be actionable under Iowa Code § 562A.36, which prohibits retaliatory rent increases.
Iowa Code Chapter 562A provides Des Moines renters with several meaningful protections across key areas of the landlord-tenant relationship.
Habitability (Iowa Code § 562A.15): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes keeping the premises structurally safe, weather-tight, and free from conditions that threaten health or safety, and ensuring that plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and appliances provided by the landlord are in good working order.
Repair Remedies (Iowa Code § 562A.21): If your landlord fails to make required repairs, you must provide written notice. After notice is given, the landlord has 7 days to begin emergency repairs or 30 days to address non-emergency deficiencies. If the landlord fails to act, Iowa law gives tenants the right to terminate the lease, pursue rent escrow (paying rent into a court-supervised account), or in limited circumstances use repair-and-deduct.
Security Deposits (Iowa Code § 562A.12): Deposits are capped at two months' rent. The landlord must return the deposit — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of move-out. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice Requirements (Iowa Code § 562A.34): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice. A tenant who wishes to leave a month-to-month tenancy must also give 30 days' written notice to the landlord.
Anti-Retaliation (Iowa Code § 562A.36): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant who reports housing code violations, complains to a government agency, or exercises any right under Iowa law. Retaliation includes raising rent, reducing services, or starting eviction proceedings within one year of a protected activity. A tenant who proves retaliation may recover actual damages, attorney's fees, and other relief.
Lockout Prohibition (Iowa Code § 562A.26): Self-help eviction is illegal in Iowa. A landlord cannot lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or cut off utilities (heat, electricity, water) as a means of forcing a tenant to leave. Only a court order can authorize removal of a tenant. A tenant who is illegally locked out or has utilities shut off is entitled to actual damages under Iowa Code § 562A.26.
Iowa Code § 562A.12 governs security deposits for all residential tenancies in Des Moines, including Polk County.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than two months' rent. For example, if your monthly rent is $900, the maximum security deposit is $1,800. This cap applies regardless of the lease type or the landlord's stated reason for collecting a higher amount.
Return Deadline: After you vacate the unit, the landlord has 30 days to return your security deposit. Along with the refund, the landlord must provide a written itemized statement listing any deductions and the reason for each deduction. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear; landlords may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, or makes improper deductions without an itemized statement, Iowa Code § 562A.12 entitles the tenant to recover two times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. To protect your rights, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written checklists, and provide your forwarding address to the landlord in writing.
Evictions in Des Moines must follow the legal process established by Iowa Code Chapter 562A and Iowa Code Chapter 648 (Forcible Entry and Detainer). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through the courts.
Step 1 — Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the appropriate written notice. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give a 3-day written notice to pay or vacate (Iowa Code § 562A.27). For a lease violation other than nonpayment, the landlord must give a 7-day notice to remedy or vacate (Iowa Code § 562A.27). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (Iowa Code § 562A.34).
Step 2 — Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) action in Polk County District Court. The tenant will be served with a court summons setting a hearing date, typically within a few days to two weeks of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may present their case at the hearing. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including that the landlord failed to maintain the unit, that the eviction is retaliatory under Iowa Code § 562A.36, or that proper notice was not given. Legal representation significantly improves outcomes — contact Iowa Legal Aid if you cannot afford an attorney.
Step 4 — Enforcement: If the court rules in the landlord's favor and issues a writ of removal, only a Polk County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove the tenant and their belongings. The landlord has no authority to personally remove a tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Iowa Code § 562A.26, a landlord may not lock you out, remove your belongings, shut off utilities, or otherwise force you out without a court order. If this happens to you, you are entitled to actual damages and should contact Iowa Legal Aid or local law enforcement immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you are facing eviction, a habitability emergency, or a dispute with your landlord, please consult a licensed Iowa attorney or contact Iowa Legal Aid for advice tailored to your circumstances. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances directly, as laws may have changed after the last updated date shown on this page.
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