Johnson County, Iowa: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Iowa District Court for Johnson County - Small Claims in Iowa City. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: see the fee table. Claims up to $6,500. Iowa return time: 30 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,087. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Iowa District Court for Johnson County - Small Claims
City	Iowa City
Statewide filing fee	$95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs.
E-filing	Yes, see filing page
Small claims limit	$6,500
State deposit return deadline	30 calendar days after from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. 12 months after from the termination of the tenancy for tenant to provide mailing address or delivery instructions. Applies when: if no mailing address or instructions within one year, rental deposit reverts to landlord and tenant forfeits rights to it.
Time limit to sue	10 years
Deposit statute	Iowa Code § 562A.12

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $6,500 (district court sitting in small claims (Iowa Code ch. 631; actions on or after July 1, 2018) only).

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Details of the return rules

Iowa statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
Deposit return	30 days	from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions

Iowa return rule: 30 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Iowa District Court for Johnson County - Small Claims. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
The owner of record in the property records of Johnson County.
The Iowa business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Iowa Secretary of State

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

Listed filing or service charges: $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

Your lease.
Deposit receipt or payment record.
The demand letter and proof of delivery.
Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Check the Iowa filing procedure before you go.

Court forms

Service methods: certified mail by clerk; constable or sheriff.

Service fee: If you choose certified mail to serve defendant, you will be charged the $115.00 filing fee and an additional $20.00 for each party you wish to serve by certified mail..

Procedure source (high confidence): Small Claims Includes: Money judgments, replevins, and FED actions that are $6,500 in damages or less $115 § 631.6

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Johnson County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
1	$915	$915	$1,830	Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$1,087	$1,087	$2,174	Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$1,604	$1,604	$3,208	Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$1,953	$1,953	$3,906	Fits under the $6,500 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Johnson County compare with other Iowa counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,087: rank 3 of 99 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 41.2% of households rent in Johnson County.

Johnson County two-bedroom rent $1,087, rank 3 of 99 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Dallas County	$1,319
Polk County	$1,132
Johnson County	$1,087
Story County	$1,004
Jefferson County	$994
Madison County	$983

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 99 of 99 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Johnson County

Coralville
Hills
Iowa City
Lone Tree
North Liberty
Oxford
Shueyville
Solon
Swisher
Tiffin
University Heights
West Branch

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

Iowa Legal Aid: free civil legal help for low-income Iowans on housing stability, including eviction, housing assistance, rentals in need of repair, and housing discrimination
HOME, Inc.: free HUD-certified rental counseling for tenants, including lease terms, maintenance and repair, evictions, and fair housing issues
Horizons, A Family Service Alliance: HUD-approved rental housing counseling and rental housing workshops

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Johnson County?

Statewide filing fee: $95 filing fee (Iowa Code §631.6; confirm current amount with the clerk), plus service costs..

Where do I file a deposit claim in Johnson County?

Iowa District Court for Johnson County - Small Claims is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.