Iowa Code ch. 562 § 562.3
Attornment to stranger
Operative Text
The payment of rent, or delivery of possession of leased premises, to one not the lessor, is void, and shall not affect the rights of such lessor, unless made with the lessor’s consent, or in pursuance of a judgment or decree of court or judicial sale to which the lessor was a party.
Iowa Code ch. 562 § 562.3 establishes that any payment of rent or transfer of possession made to someone who is not the original landlord (lessor) is legally void and has no effect on the landlord's rights, unless the landlord consented to that arrangement or a court judgment, decree, or judicial sale involving the landlord authorized it. This rule, known as the doctrine of attornment, prevents third parties from collecting rent or taking possession of leased property without proper legal authority. It protects the integrity of the landlord-tenant relationship by ensuring that only authorized parties can receive rent or take control of leased premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 562 § 562.3, property owners and managers generally ensure that any redirection of rent payments or transfer of possession to a third party — such as a property management company, new owner, or lender — is accompanied by explicit written consent from the lessor or is authorized by a court order to which the lessor was a party. Compliant operators typically notify tenants in writing when a new party is authorized to receive rent, so that payments made to that party are legally valid rather than void. Keeping clear records of any such authorizations helps demonstrate that rent collection arrangements comply with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 562 § 562.3 gives tenants a meaningful protection: rent paid to someone who is not the original landlord — and who lacks the landlord's consent or a court order authorizing the arrangement — is considered legally void, meaning the original landlord's rights remain unaffected and the tenant may still owe that rent. If a tenant is instructed to pay rent to a new party, such as after a property sale or management change, it is generally worth confirming that the original landlord has consented or that a court order covers the situation. Tenants who have questions about whether a payment arrangement is valid under this provision may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Iowa landlord-tenant law.
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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