Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.22
Tenant — extent of liability
Operative Text
A tenant in possession in good faith, under a lease or license from another, is not liable beyond the rent in arrear at the time of suit brought for the recovery of land, and that which may afterward accrue during the continuance of the tenant’s possession.
Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.22 limits how much a tenant who holds possession in good faith under a lease or license can owe when a lawsuit is filed to recover the land. The tenant's financial exposure is capped at rent that was already past due when the suit was filed, plus any rent that continues to accrue while the tenant remains in possession. This provision does not eliminate the tenant's rent obligations; it simply sets a ceiling on the monetary liability that can arise in a land-recovery action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.22, a landlord pursuing a land-recovery action against a good-faith tenant should understand that the recoverable monetary amount is confined to rent in arrear at the time suit is filed and rent accruing during the tenant's continued possession. Compliant operators generally keep accurate, up-to-date rent ledgers so that the amount in arrear can be clearly documented at the moment litigation begins. Knowing this statutory cap helps property owners set realistic expectations about the financial recovery available through this type of proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.22 provides good-faith tenants with a meaningful protection: in a lawsuit brought to recover the land, a tenant's monetary liability is limited to back rent owed at the time the suit was filed and rent that accrues while the tenant stays in possession. Tenants who believe they qualify as good-faith holders under a lease or license may be able to raise this statutory limit as a defense against broader financial claims in such proceedings. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Iowa landlord-tenant law can help a tenant understand how this provision might apply to their circumstances.
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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