Iowa Code ch. 562A § 562A.13
Disclosure
Operative Text
1. The landlord or a person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on behalf of the landlord shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and address of: a. The person authorized to manage the premises. b. An owner of the premises or a person authorized to act for and on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and for the purpose of receiving and receipting for notices and demands. 2. The information required to be furnished by this section shall be kept current and this section extends to and is enforceable against a successor landlord, owner, or manager. 3. A person who fails to comply with subsection 1 becomes an agent of each person who is a landlord for the purpose of: a. Service of process and receiving and receipting for notices and demands. b. Performing the obligations of the landlord under this chapter and under the rental agreement and expending or making available for that purpose all rent collected from the premises. 4. The landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on the landlord’s behalf shall fully explain utility rates, charges and services to the prospective tenant before the rental agreement is signed unless paid by the tenant directly to the utility company. 5. Each tenant shall be notified, in writing, of any rent increase at least thirty days before the effective date. Such effective date shall not be sooner than the expiration date of original rental agreement or any renewal or extension thereof. 6. The landlord or a person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on behalf of the landlord shall disclose to each tenant in writing before the commencement of the tenancy if the property is listed in the comprehensive environmental response compensation and liability information system maintained by the federal environmental protection agency.
Iowa Code § 562A.13 requires landlords to provide tenants with written disclosures before or at the start of a tenancy, covering the name and address of the property manager and an owner or authorized agent for service of process. Utility rates and charges must be explained before the rental agreement is signed if the landlord—not the tenant—pays the utility company. Tenants must also receive at least 30 days' written notice before any rent increase takes effect, and landlords must disclose if the property appears on the EPA's CERCLA environmental contamination list.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 562A.13, compliant operators provide written disclosures before tenancy begins, naming the property manager and an owner or authorized agent for service of process. Landlords who skip this step are automatically deemed agents of the owner, making them personally responsible for landlord obligations and liable to apply collected rent toward them. Operators also explain utility arrangements in writing before lease signing, give tenants at least 30 days' written notice of rent increases, and disclose any CERCLA listing—obligations that carry over to successor owners and managers.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 562A.13 gives tenants the right to receive written contact information for the property manager and an owner's authorized agent before moving in, along with a clear explanation of any utility charges the landlord controls. If a landlord fails to provide these disclosures, the law treats that person as the owner's agent, which can affect how legal notices and demands are served. Tenants who believe these rights have been violated may raise the violation as a defense in a legal proceeding, contact a local tenant-rights organization, or consult an attorney familiar with Iowa landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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