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Get your security deposit back in Iowa

Your landlord must act within 30 days after termination and receipt of the tenant's forwarding address under Iowa Code § 562A.12. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

30 days
to return or itemize
Penalties
for non-compliance
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my Iowa letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What Iowa law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 30 days after termination and receipt of the tenant's forwarding address
StatuteIowa Code § 562A.12 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingBad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, plus the wrongfully withheld amount.
Worth knowingDeposit capped at two months' rent. Attorney fees may be awarded to the prevailing party (§ 562A.12(8)); deposit reverts to the landlord if no address is provided within one year.

This is general legal information about Iowa Code § 562A.12, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld → recovery of the withheld amount.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Iowa Code § 562A.12 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Iowa letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Iowa Code § 562A.12, the 30-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Iowa deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Iowa?
Under Iowa Code § 562A.12, the landlord generally must act within 30 days after termination and receipt of the tenant's forwarding address. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Iowa deadline?
Bad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, plus the wrongfully withheld amount. A written demand letter that cites Iowa Code § 562A.12 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Iowa?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Iowa Code § 562A.12, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Iowa attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.