• Rent Grace Period: Not statutorily defined.
• Non-Payment of Rent: 3 days.^[1]
• Non-Compliance: 7 days.^[2]
• Termination (Month-to-Month Lease): 30 days.^[3]
• Eviction Lawsuit: Forcible Entry and Detainer.^[4]

Utility Shutoff – A landlord may not willfully interrupt a tenant’s utility services without being subject to damages.^[5]

Changing the Locks – A landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant from the premises without being subject to damages.^[5]

Forcible Entry and Detainer Complaint – This document is used if the tenant has not responded to the notice to quit. It should be filed in the small claims court to begin the eviction process. It will then be served on the tenant to indicate that they are being sued.

Verification of Account – This document is used to relay the amount owed to the landlord, state whether the defendant is the military service, and to verify that the documents attached to the form and the calculations therein are accurate.

Appearance and Answer of Defendant – Used by the defendant to admit to, or deny the allegations made against them.

First, the landlord must provide requisite notice to tenant of his or her intention to seek eviction proceedings if the tenant fails to vacate or rectify the specified problem. Tenant may not rectify a clear and present danger problem, or not agree to leave at the end of the term, however, tenant can rectify other breaches, including non-payment of rent.

The landlord should provide one of these notices to tenant, either by service of process, getting it signed by an adult at the residence, or by posting and mailing by certified mail:

• 3-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Payment)
• 3-Day Notice to Quit (Clear and Present Danger)
• 7-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Compliance)
• 30-Day Notice to Quit (Month to Month)

If the tenant fails to respond satisfactorily to the written notice in the time allowed, the landlord may begin a forcible entry and detainer action in small claims court. In Iowa, the court system requires that small claims be filed electronically, so you will have to set up an account on the Iowa Judicial System’s eFiling site. You will then have to fill out this Forcible Entry and Detainer and file it electronically with the small claims court in your county. You will also need to file a confidential information sheet with the clerk.

The filing fee is $95.^[6]

After you have filed the Forcible Entry and Detainer form, you will have to have it served on the tenant either by service of process, having it signed by an adult at the residence, or by posting and mailing by certified mail.

The court will set a hearing date within eight days of filing. You should have the evidence of serving the notice to quit as well as serving the forcible entry and detainer notice. The court will issue a decision either in favor of the landlord or tenant. If it is in favor of the landlord, the tenant shall have to vacate. If the tenant disagrees with the decision of the Judge, the tenant may file an appeal using a Notice of Appeal (form 3.26).