Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.17
Remedy not exclusive
Operative Text
Nothing contained in sections 648.15 and 648.16 shall prevent a party from suing for trespass or from testing the right of property in any other manner.
Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.17 clarifies that the remedies established in the surrounding forcible entry and detainer statutes are not the only legal avenues available to resolve property disputes. A party involved in a property conflict may still pursue a trespass lawsuit or challenge property rights through other legal mechanisms, even after or alongside a forcible entry and detainer action. This provision preserves the full range of common-law and statutory remedies that might otherwise apply to a given situation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.17, property owners and managers are not limited to the forcible entry and detainer process when addressing unauthorized occupancy or property rights disputes. A compliant operator generally understands that pursuing a forcible entry and detainer action does not foreclose a separate trespass claim or other legal challenge to property rights. Operators familiar with this provision typically work with legal counsel to understand which combination of remedies may be available in a given context.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.17 means that a landlord's use of the forcible entry and detainer process does not necessarily exhaust all legal claims that could be brought against a tenant, including trespass actions or other property-rights challenges. Tenants facing such proceedings should be aware that additional claims may arise separately from or alongside the primary eviction action. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help individuals understand the full scope of claims they may be facing and what general defenses or responses may be available.
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