LOCAL RULES: IOWA CODE 562A.19

Iowa notice of entry requirements

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  • 24 hours' notice, entry at reasonable times
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Iowa's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law gives the landlord access for inspections, repairs, services and showings after at least 24 hours' notice, at reasonable times. When a tenant leaves a health or safety problem unfixed after written notice, the landlord can enter to fix it. Here is each rule with a link to the Iowa Code.

Last reviewed October 26, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Notice of entryIOWA / FREE CALCULATOR

Notice period and entry times

WhatWhenRule
Notice givenNovember 2, 2026 (attached to the door)Iowa Code s. 562A.19 (3)
Earliest lawful entry without the tenant's consentNovember 3, 2026, at or after the time of day the notice was given (24 hours later)Iowa Code s. 562A.19 (3)
Planned entryNovember 4, 2026: after the notice periodIowa Code s. 562A.19 (3)
Hours of entryAt reasonable timesIowa Code s. 562A.19 (3)
What the notice must sayAt least 24 hours' notice of the intent to enter, except in an emergency or if impracticableIowa Code s. 562A.19 (3)

Emergencies, an abandoned unit and the tenant's consent at the time of entry follow their own rules (listed on this page). A lease may give the tenant more notice; check it.

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What Iowa requires

  • The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractorsIowa Code s. 562A.19 (1)
  • The landlord may enter without the tenant's consent in an emergencyIowa Code s. 562A.19 (2)
  • Except in an emergency or if it is impracticable, the landlord gives at least 24 hours' notice of the intent to enter and enters only at reasonable times, without abusing access or using it to harass the tenantIowa Code s. 562A.19 (3)
  • The landlord has no other right of access except by court order, as sections 562A.28 and 562A.29 allow, or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premisesIowa Code s. 562A.19 (4)
  • When the tenant's noncompliance materially affecting health and safety can be fixed by repair, replacement or cleaning, and the tenant does not act within seven days of written notice (or as promptly as an emergency requires), the landlord may enter, have the work done and bill the cost as rentIowa Code s. 562A.28

24 hours, reasonable times

Except in an emergency or where it is impracticable, give at least 24 hours' notice of the intent to enter and come at a reasonable time. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse access for the listed purposes.

Emergencies and fixing a tenant's breach

Emergencies allow entry without consent. If the tenant's breach affects health and safety and can be fixed by repair, replacement or cleaning, and the tenant does nothing within seven days of written notice, the landlord can enter, do the work and bill it as rent.

No other access

Apart from these cases, only a court order, the law's listed remedies or an abandoned or surrendered unit give the landlord access.

Common mistakes

  • Entering on less than 24 hours' notice for a routine inspection.
  • Doing a tenant's repairs before the seven days after written notice have passed.
  • Using repeated inspections to pressure a tenant.

Sources

Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Next review due January 26, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.