Iowa Code ch. 562 § 562.2
Double rental value — liability
Operative Text
A tenant serving notice of intention to quit leased premises at a time named, and holding over after the time, and a tenant or the tenant’s assignee willfully holding over after the term, and after notice to quit, shall pay double the rental value of the leased premises during the time the tenant holds over to the person entitled to the rent.
Iowa Code § 562.2 establishes a financial consequence for tenants who fail to vacate leased premises on time under two circumstances: when a tenant has given their own notice of intent to leave by a specific date and then stays past that date, or when a tenant (or their assignee) willfully remains after the lease term ends and after receiving a notice to quit. In either situation, the law requires that tenant to pay double the rental value of the property for however long they continue to hold over. This rule applies to the period of unauthorized occupancy and runs in favor of whoever is entitled to receive the rent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code § 562.2, property owners and managers generally document the rental value of the premises carefully, since any double-rent recovery is calculated against that figure. Compliant operators typically ensure that notices to quit are properly served and that records of the tenant's own departure notices are retained, as both trigger the double-rent provision. Keeping clear written records of the lease term, any holdover period, and communications about vacating helps establish the basis for a § 562.2 claim if a tenant remains past the agreed or noticed date.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 562.2 means that tenants who give written notice of a move-out date and then stay past it, or who remain after their lease term ends and after receiving a notice to quit, may be liable for twice the rental value of the unit for each day of the holdover period. Tenants in this situation may want to review whether proper notice was actually served and whether the holdover was truly willful, as these are elements of the provision. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help tenants understand how § 562.2 applies to their circumstances and what options may be available.
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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