Iowa Code ch. 562A § 562A.34
Periodic tenancy — holdover remedies
Operative Text
1. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least ten days prior to the termination date specified in the notice. 2. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice. 3. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a tenancy having a term longer than month-to-month by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the end of the first or subsequent term of the tenancy specified in the notice. 4. If the tenant remains in possession without the landlord’s consent after expiration of the term of the rental agreement or its termination, the landlord may bring an action for possession and if the tenant’s holdover is willful and not in good faith the landlord, in addition, may recover the actual damages sustained by the landlord and reasonable attorney fees. If the landlord consents to the tenant’s continued occupancy, section 562A.9, subsection 5 applies.
Iowa Code § 562A.34 establishes the notice requirements for ending periodic tenancies and addresses what happens when a tenant stays past the end of a rental agreement. For week-to-week tenancies, at least ten days' written notice is required; for month-to-month or longer periodic tenancies, at least thirty days' written notice is required. If a tenant remains in the unit without the landlord's consent after the tenancy ends, the landlord may pursue a court action for possession, and if the holdover is found to be willful and in bad faith, the landlord may also recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 562A.34, compliant Iowa landlords and property managers provide written termination notices that meet the minimum lead times — ten days for week-to-week arrangements and thirty days for month-to-month or longer periodic tenancies — and ensure those notices specify the termination date. When a tenant remains after the tenancy has ended without consent, operators generally document the lack of consent and may pursue a court action for possession. Where a holdover is willful and not in good faith, § 562A.34 also allows recovery of actual damages and reasonable attorney fees, making thorough record-keeping an important part of property management practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 562A.34 of the Iowa Code gives tenants the right to end a periodic tenancy by providing proper written notice — at least ten days for a week-to-week tenancy and at least thirty days for a month-to-month or longer tenancy. Tenants should be aware that remaining in a unit after the tenancy ends without the landlord's consent can expose them to a court action for possession, and if the holdover is deemed willful and not in good faith, to liability for the landlord's actual damages and attorney fees. Tenants who have questions about whether proper notice was given, or who believe a termination notice did not comply with § 562A.34, may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation