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Free letter · Iowa · updated 2026

Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter (Itemized Statement)

The itemized statement Iowa requires when you keep any part of a deposit — due within 30 days under Iowa Code § 562A.12 — generated from the deposit settlement in your ledger, with every deduction, the refund and the statute already in it.

Settle a deposit & send the statement — free →What must be in it? ↓
Free forever · emailed with a delivery record · reviewed against Iowa Code, Chapter 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law)
30 daysReturn deadline30 days
2 months’ rentMaximum depositTwo months’ rent
NoInterest owedNo (interest earned in the first five years belongs to the l...
RequiredItemized statementRequired

What applies to your Iowa move-out?

Pick the situation; the rule on each card is Iowa's statutory minimum — your lease can be more generous to the tenant, never less.

30days
Deductions takenSend the itemized list and the balance within 30 days. Normal wear and tear is never deductible; unpaid rent, damage beyond wear, and charges the lease allows are.Generated in-app from the settlement
30days
Full refundNo deductions to list, but the refund itself is still due within the same period. The statement is your proof of the date.Generated in-app from the settlement
Still due
No forwarding addressIowa does not pause the clock for a missing address: send to the last known address and keep proof of the attempt.Reference
No
Interest on the depositIowa does not require interest on a residential deposit — the amount returned is the amount held, less deductions.Reference

What an Iowa deposit statement must contain

✓
Tenant name(s) and the rental addressPlus the date the tenant surrendered the premises — that is when the 30 days start.
✓
The deposit held, including pet depositsThe full amount received at move-in, so the math adds up from the tenant's side.
✓
Each deduction, described and priced"Damage" is not enough; "carpet replacement, bedroom 2, tenant-caused stain — $240" is. Attach receipts or estimates.Iowa Code § 562A.12
✓
The balance refunded (or owed)If deductions exceed the deposit, the statement doubles as the demand for the difference.
✓
Sent to the forwarding address, on timeMail it to the address the tenant gave; keep the date and the method. 30 days.
✓
Landlord signature and dateAnd a copy on file with the lease — the court asks for it if the tenant sues.auto-logged

How it works

1 · Settle the depositAccounting → Deposit Disposition → Settle. Deposit held is pulled from the lease; add each deduction with a description and amount.
2 · Review the statementThe Iowa deadline, the statute and the deduction list are filled in. Add the forwarding address and receipts.
3 · Send and keep the recordEmailed to the tenant and downloadable for mailing; date, method and the PDF are logged with the tenant — the ledger posts the refund at the same time.

Iowa deposit return FAQ

How long does an Iowa landlord have to return a security deposit?

30 days (Iowa Code § 562A.12).

What can I deduct from the deposit in Iowa?

Unpaid rent and charges the lease allows, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Not routine cleaning, repainting, or carpet wear from ordinary use. Each deduction must be itemized.

Is there a limit on the deposit in Iowa?

Yes: Two months’ rent.

Do I owe interest on the deposit?

No (interest earned in the first five years belongs to the landlord).

What if the deductions are more than the deposit?

The statement shows the balance owed and the tenant is liable for it. The in-app settlement posts the difference to accounts receivable so it is not forgotten.

Other Iowa landlord documents

Iowa lease agreementEvery state disclosure built in Iowa eviction notice3 days for non-payment Move-out inspection checklistCondition report with photos Deposit limits by stateCalculator

Iowa landlord-tenant laws · Iowa lease template · Deposit return letters for all 50 states

Settle the deposit and send the Iowa statement in one step

Deductions, refund, deadline and the statute filled in from your ledger. Free.

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Deadlines and rules are Iowa's statutory minimums as of 2026, reviewed against Iowa Code, Chapter 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law). General information for landlords, not legal advice; local ordinances can add requirements.

All free landlord forms and templates

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