Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.25
Judgment for rent accruing
Operative Text
The plaintiff may have judgment for the rent or rental value of the premises which accrues after judgment and before delivery of possession, by motion in the court in which the judgment was rendered, ten days’ notice thereof in writing being given, unless judgment is stayed by appeal and bond given to suspend the judgment, in which case the motion may be made after the affirmance thereof.
Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.25 establishes a mechanism by which a court judgment in a forcible-entry-and-detainer or similar proceeding can be supplemented to account for rent or rental value that continues to accumulate after the initial judgment is entered but before the tenant actually vacates and delivers possession of the property. The winning party may return to the same court and seek an additional judgment for that accrued amount by filing a motion with ten days' written notice to the other side. If the original judgment has been stayed because the losing party filed an appeal and posted the required bond, the motion for additional rent may only be brought after the appellate court affirms the original judgment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.25, property owners who have obtained a judgment but have not yet regained physical possession of the premises have a recognized avenue to recover rent or rental value that continues to accrue during that gap period. A compliant operator generally tracks the dates carefully—noting when the original judgment was entered and when possession is ultimately returned—and files a motion in the original court with proper ten-day written notice to the former occupant. If the occupant has appealed and posted a bond to stay the judgment, operators are generally aware that the motion for accruing rent must wait until after any appellate affirmance before it can be pursued.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 646 § 646.25 means that even after a court has ruled against a tenant in a possession proceeding, the landlord may seek an additional court order for rent or rental value covering the period between that judgment and the date possession is actually returned. Tenants should be aware that this motion requires ten days' written notice, giving them an opportunity to appear and respond in the court where the original judgment was entered. Tenants who have appealed the underlying judgment and posted the required bond may have additional time before such a motion can be brought, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help clarify what options may be available in that situation.
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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