Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Urbandale is a fast-growing suburb in Polk County, situated just northwest of Des Moines. With a population of roughly 45,000 and a significant share of residents who rent, Urbandale's rental market is governed entirely by Iowa state law — specifically the Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, Iowa Code Chapter 562A. The city has enacted no local tenant protections beyond what the state provides.
Renters in Urbandale most commonly seek information about rent increases, security deposit returns, and the eviction process. Because Iowa does not have rent control, landlords may raise rent at will between lease terms with proper notice. However, state law does provide meaningful protections on habitability, deposit limits, anti-retaliation, and illegal lockouts that every Urbandale tenant should understand before signing a lease or responding to a landlord dispute.
This page provides a plain-language summary of tenant rights that apply in Urbandale, Iowa. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing eviction or a serious landlord dispute, contact Iowa Legal Aid or a licensed Iowa attorney.
Urbandale has no rent control ordinance, and Iowa state law makes it highly unlikely any municipality in the state could enact one. Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law (Iowa Code § 562A) is the comprehensive framework that governs residential rentals statewide, and the Iowa legislature has not authorized local governments to cap rents. As a practical matter, no Iowa city — including Urbandale — has attempted to adopt rent stabilization, and such an ordinance would face significant legal obstacles under existing state law.
What this means for Urbandale renters: your landlord may raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no registry or approval process. However, a landlord cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant reporting code violations or exercising legal rights — doing so violates Iowa Code § 562A.36 and entitles the tenant to remedies including damages.
Iowa Code Chapter 562A governs the landlord-tenant relationship for Urbandale renters. The following are the key state-level protections:
Habitability (Iowa Code § 562A.15): Landlords in Urbandale must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — meaning structurally safe, weather-tight, properly heated, equipped with working plumbing and electrical systems, and free from pests. Failure to maintain habitability is a material breach of the lease.
Repairs (Iowa Code § 562A.21): If your landlord fails to make required repairs after you provide written notice, Iowa law grants you remedies. For emergency conditions affecting health or safety, landlords have 7 days to act. For non-emergency repairs, the deadline is 30 days. If the landlord does not comply, you may pursue repair-and-deduct (for repairs costing up to one month's rent) or place rent in escrow through district court.
Notice to Terminate (Iowa Code § 562A.34): A landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating a month-to-month tenancy. For fixed-term leases, termination terms are governed by the lease itself unless otherwise provided by law.
Anti-Retaliation (Iowa Code § 562A.36): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for complaining about habitability, contacting a government agency, or exercising any right under Iowa law. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, reduction of services, and filing or threatening eviction. If retaliation occurs within 12 months of a protected action, there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation.
Lockout Prohibition (Iowa Code § 562A.26): It is illegal for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities as a method of eviction without a court order. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction are entitled to recover actual damages.
Iowa Code § 562A.12 governs security deposits for all residential rentals in Urbandale, including those in Polk County.
Cap: A landlord may collect a security deposit of no more than 2 months' rent. Any amount collected above this cap is unlawful.
Return Deadline: After a tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit — or the portion not rightfully withheld — within 30 days of the date the tenant vacates or delivers possession of the unit, whichever is later. The return must be accompanied by a written, itemized statement of any deductions.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the security deposit (meaning deductions are not documented or not legally permissible), the tenant is entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under Iowa Code § 562A.12(7). Permissible deductions include unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and costs specified in the lease.
Practical Tip: Document the condition of your unit at move-in and move-out with dated photos and a written checklist, and provide your forwarding address in writing to ensure the landlord can deliver the deposit or statement within the 30-day window.
Evictions in Urbandale follow the process established by Iowa Code Chapter 562A and Iowa's Forcible Entry and Detainer statutes (Iowa Code Chapter 648).
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. The type and length of notice depends on the reason:
Step 2 — Court 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 court will schedule a hearing, and the tenant has the right to appear and present a defense.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: At the hearing, both parties may present evidence. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a writ of possession. The tenant typically has a short period to vacate before a sheriff enforces the writ.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Landlords in Urbandale cannot lock tenants out, remove doors or windows, or disconnect utilities to force a tenant to leave. Iowa Code § 562A.26 expressly prohibits self-help eviction, and tenants subjected to such conduct are entitled to recover actual damages. If this happens to you, contact Iowa Legal Aid immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and local enforcement may vary. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any serious landlord-tenant issue in Urbandale, Iowa, you should consult a licensed Iowa attorney or contact Iowa Legal Aid for guidance specific to your situation. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.