Iowa Code ch. 725 § 725.4
Leasing premises for prostitution
Operative Text
A person who has rented or let any building, structure or part thereof, boat, trailer or other place offering shelter or seclusion, and who knows, or has reason to know, that the lessee or tenant is using such for the purposes of prostitution, and who does not, immediately upon acquiring such knowledge, terminate the tenancy or effectively put an end to such practice of prostitution in such place, commits a serious misdemeanor.
Iowa Code § 725.4 addresses situations where a landlord or property owner has rented out a building, structure, boat, trailer, or any other sheltered space and becomes aware—or has reason to become aware—that the occupant is using that space for prostitution. Under this provision, once the owner gains that knowledge, they are required to act promptly: either ending the tenancy or effectively stopping the prohibited activity. Failure to take immediate action upon gaining such knowledge constitutes a serious misdemeanor under Iowa law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Iowa Code § 725.4 places an affirmative obligation on property owners and managers who discover, or have reason to discover, that a tenant is using a rented space for prostitution. Compliant operators generally act without delay upon acquiring such knowledge—either by initiating lawful termination of the tenancy or by taking effective steps to halt the prohibited conduct on the premises. Maintaining documentation of when knowledge was acquired and what actions were taken in response is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 725.4 is primarily directed at landlords and property owners rather than tenants, but it can affect a tenant's housing situation if a landlord moves to terminate a tenancy based on alleged violations of this provision. Tenants who believe a termination is being pursued improperly or without adequate basis may have grounds to raise that as a defense in an eviction proceeding. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Iowa housing law can help a tenant understand the options available under § 725.4 and related statutes.
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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