Iowa Code ch. 562A § 562A.16
Limitation of liability
Operative Text
1. Unless otherwise agreed, a landlord, who conveys premises that include a dwelling unit subject to a rental agreement in a good faith sale to a bona fide purchaser, is relieved of liability under the rental agreement and this chapter as to events occurring subsequent to written notice to the tenant of the conveyance. 2. A manager of premises that includes a dwelling unit is relieved of liability under the rental agreement and this chapter as to events occurring after written notice to the tenant of the termination of the person’s management. 3. Except in cases of willful, reckless, or gross negligence, a landlord is not liable in a civil action for personal injury, death, property damage, or other damages resulting from or arising out of an occurrence involving a firearm, a firearm component, or ammunition that the landlord is required to allow on the property under section 562A.11.
Iowa Code § 562A.16 establishes conditions under which a landlord or property manager can be released from obligations and liabilities tied to a rental agreement. A landlord who sells the property in a genuine, good-faith transaction is relieved of future duties once the tenant receives written notice of the sale. Similarly, a property manager's liability ends upon written notice to the tenant that their management role has concluded. Additionally, the provision limits a landlord's civil liability for injuries, deaths, or property damage connected to firearms or ammunition that the landlord is legally required to permit on the property, except when the landlord's conduct rises to the level of willful, reckless, or gross negligence.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code § 562A.16, landlords who sell their property in a bona fide transaction generally ensure that tenants receive written notice of the conveyance to formally transfer ongoing obligations to the new owner. Property managers similarly document and deliver written notice to tenants when their management role ends, which is the mechanism that limits their continuing exposure under the rental agreement. Landlords should also be aware that the provision's firearm-related liability shield applies only to situations where the landlord is legally required to allow firearms under § 562A.11, and does not extend to conduct that could be characterized as willful, reckless, or grossly negligent.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 562A.16 affects tenants by determining who holds responsibility for the rental agreement at any given time — the original landlord, a new owner, or a property manager. Tenants should be aware that written notice of a property sale or a management change is the triggering event that shifts liability, meaning the party responsible for addressing issues under the rental agreement may change after such notice is received. If a tenant believes a landlord or manager has failed to properly provide notice or has not fulfilled obligations before a transfer occurred, tenant-rights organizations or a local legal aid office can help explain what options may be available under this provision.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation