Iowa Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Iowa, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days or 365 calendar days (if no mailing address or instructions within one year, rental deposit reverts to landlord and tenant forfeits rights to it). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 30 calendar days: from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions; 365 calendar days (if no mailing address or instructions within one year, rental deposit reverts to landlord and tenant forfeits rights to it): from the termination of the tenancy for tenant to provide mailing address or delivery instructions. The verified state formula is failure to provide written statement within 30 days after termination and receipt of address = forfeit all rights to withhold any portion; bad-faith retention additionally subjects landlord to punitive damages not to exceed twice the monthly rental payment plus actual damages; court may award reasonable attorney fees to prevailing party in action on a rental agreement (deposit-dispute context per Iowa Supreme Court construction) under Iowa Code § 562A.12.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days; trigger: from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 365 calendar days (if no mailing address or instructions within one year, rental deposit reverts to landlord and tenant forfeits rights to it); trigger: from the termination of the tenancy for tenant to provide mailing address or delivery instructions |
| Penalty formula | failure to provide written statement within 30 days after termination and receipt of address = forfeit all rights to withhold any portion; bad-faith retention additionally subjects landlord to punitive damages not to exceed twice the monthly rental payment plus actual damages; court may award reasonable attorney fees to prevailing party in action on a rental agreement (deposit-dispute context per Iowa Supreme Court construction) |
| Bad faith required | Yes |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | Conditional: Deposits may be held in an interest-bearing account; any interest earned during the first five years of a tenancy is the property of the landlord. No requirement that landlord pay interest to the tenant under § 562A.12. |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than two months' rent. |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $6,500 (district court sitting in small claims (Iowa Code ch. 631; actions on or after July 1, 2018)) in District Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Iowa Code § 562A.12 |
Statute says
A landlord shall, within thirty days from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, return the rental deposit to the tenant or furnish to the tenant a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding of the rental deposit or any portion thereof. If the rental deposit or any portion of the rental deposit is withheld for the restoration of the dwelling unit, the statement shall specify the nature of the damages. ... A landlord who fails to provide a written statement within thirty days of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions shall forfeit all rights to withhold any portion of the rental deposit. ... The bad-faith retention of a deposit by a landlord, or any portion of the rental deposit, in violation of this section shall subject the landlord to punitive damages not to exceed twice the monthly rental payment in addition to actual damages.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Iowa Code § 562A.12 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Iowa is $972 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Polk County: $1,149
- Linn County: $945
- Scott County: $1,005
- Johnson County: $1,122
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $972 before applying the state formula: failure to provide written statement within 30 days after termination and receipt of address = forfeit all rights to withhold any portion; bad-faith retention additionally subjects landlord to punitive damages not to exceed twice the monthly rental payment plus actual damages; court may award reasonable attorney fees to prevailing party in action on a rental agreement (deposit-dispute context per Iowa Supreme Court construction).
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | Iowa District Court for Polk County - Small Claims, Des Moines | $6,500 | $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs. | Yes | Court site |
| Linn County | Iowa District Court for Linn County - Small Claims, Cedar Rapids | $6,500 | $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs. | Yes | Court site |
| Scott County | Iowa District Court for Scott County - Small Claims, Davenport | $6,500 | $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs. | Yes | Court site |
| Johnson County | Iowa District Court for Johnson County - Small Claims, Iowa City | $6,500 | $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs. | Yes | Court site |
| Black Hawk County | Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County - Small Claims, Waterloo | $6,500 | $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs. | Yes | Court site |
Free Iowa template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Iowa data for this page lists a 30 calendar days or 365 calendar days (if no mailing address or instructions within one year, rental deposit reverts to landlord and tenant forfeits rights to it) return window and cites Iowa Code § 562A.12.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Des Moines have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Iowa law and local rules.
Does Cedar Rapids have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Iowa law and local rules.
Does Davenport have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Iowa law and local rules.
Does Sioux City have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Iowa law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Waterloo.
Tenant resources
- Iowa Legal Aidlegal aid, 1-800-532-1275
- HOME, Inc. - Tenant Servicestenant union in Des Moines, 515-243-1277
- Iowa Judicial Branch - Small Claimscourt self help
- Iowa Attorney General - For Consumersag consumer
- Iowa Legal Aid - Landlord and Tenant Lawlegal aid