Legal and tenant help in Iowa
The short answer
In Iowa, a notice for unpaid rent must give you 3 days to pay. If you pay the rent within 3 days, the landlord can't evict you for it. Call Iowa Legal Aid at 800 532 1275.
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What Iowa Legal Aid says about notices
- A notice for unpaid rent must say the lease will end if the rent is not paid within 3 days.
- If you pay the rent within the 3 days, the landlord cannot evict you.
- If the notice is mailed and posted, the law assumes mail takes 4 days, so you have 7 days from the mailing date to pay.
- The landlord can't file an eviction case until the notice time has passed, and a court may dismiss a case if the notice was wrong.
Official page: iowalegalaid.org/resource/types-of-notices-from-landlords
Iowa Legal Aid
Apply for no cost legal help: 800 532 1275. If you are 60 or older, call 800 992 8161. You can also apply online.
Official page: iowalegalaid.org/resource/types-of-notices-from-landlords
Fair housing
The Iowa Civil Rights Commission takes housing discrimination complaints. You can also file with HUD.
Official pages: icrc.iowa.gov, hud.gov/fairhousing
More help in Iowa
Sources last checked October 27, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it.
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