Iowa State Laws Affecting Tenants in Domestic Violence Situations

Iowa extends special protections to tenants who are victims of domestic violence. Here are some of the domestic violence (DV) laws that apply to tenants:

• Landlord entitled to proof of DV status
• Landlord cannot terminate a victim of DV
• Landlord has limited right to evict the DV victim.

Check the Iowa statute (Iowa Code §§ 562A.27A, 562B.25A(3)) to see if the law applies to your situation. See the Laws and Legal Research section of Nolo for advice on finding and reading statutes and court decisions.

If you are facing a domestic violence situation (including stalking) and want to move, check with local police or a battered women’s shelter regarding resources and services in your area, including how to get a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a court. For information and referrals to local agencies, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE. This organization’s website also includes links to state coalitions against domestic violence.  Another useful resource is WomensLaw.org, which includes extensive information on state laws relevant to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.