Iowa Code ch. 562A § 562A.19
Access
Operative Text
1. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors. 2. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. 3. The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least twenty-four hours’ notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. 4. The landlord does not have another right of access except by court order, and as permitted by sections 562A.28 and 562A.29, or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Iowa Code § 562A.19 establishes a mutual framework governing when and how a landlord may enter a rented dwelling unit. Landlords are generally required to give at least 24 hours' notice before entering and may only do so at reasonable times, except in genuine emergencies or when advance notice is truly impracticable. Tenants, in turn, are expected not to unreasonably refuse entry for legitimate purposes such as repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective buyers or renters. Outside of these defined circumstances, a landlord's right of entry is limited to court order, specific statutory provisions, or situations where the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code § 562A.19, compliant property operators typically provide written or documented notice of at least 24 hours before entering a unit, schedule entry during reasonable hours, and clearly state the purpose of the visit—whether for inspection, repairs, or showing the unit. Emergency entry without notice is permitted, but operators generally document the nature of the emergency to demonstrate the exception was warranted. Repeated or unnecessary entries, or entries designed to pressure or disturb a tenant, can constitute an abuse of access rights under this section, which operators are expected to avoid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 562A.19 gives tenants the right to expect advance notice—at least 24 hours in non-emergency situations—before a landlord enters their home, and entry must occur at reasonable times. If a landlord enters without proper notice, enters excessively, or uses access as a form of harassment, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their access rights have been violated may consider documenting each incident, reviewing related remedies under Iowa Code ch. 562A, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
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