Iowa Code ch. 562A § 562A.24
Landlord’s noncompliance as defense to action for possession or rent
Operative Text
1. In an action for possession based upon nonpayment of the rent or in an action for rent where the tenant is in possession, the tenant may counterclaim for an amount which the tenant may recover under the rental agreement or this chapter. In that event the court from time to time may order the tenant to pay into court all or part of the rent accrued and thereafter accruing, and shall determine the amount due to each party. The party to whom a net amount is owed shall be paid first from the money paid into court, and the balance by the other party. If rent does not remain due after application of this section, judgment shall be entered for the tenant in the action for possession. If the defense or counterclaim by the tenant is without merit and is not raised in good faith the landlord may recover reasonable attorney fees. 2. In an action for rent where the tenant is not in possession, the tenant may counterclaim as provided in subsection 1, but the tenant is not required to pay any rent into court.
Iowa Code § 562A.24 establishes a procedural mechanism that allows tenants to raise counterclaims against landlords in rent or eviction proceedings. When a landlord sues for unpaid rent or possession of a rental unit, the tenant may assert claims of their own arising from the rental agreement or Iowa's landlord-tenant law. A court can order rent to be paid into court during the case, then allocate those funds based on what each party is ultimately owed—and if the tenant's counterclaim wipes out any remaining rent balance, the eviction action itself may be resolved in the tenant's favor. However, if a tenant's defense or counterclaim is found to lack merit and was not raised in good faith, the landlord may be awarded reasonable attorney fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code § 562A.24, landlords pursuing eviction or rent-collection actions should be aware that tenants have a statutory right to assert counterclaims in the same proceeding. Compliant operators generally maintain thorough records of rent payments, repair requests, and any alleged lease violations, since those records become relevant when a tenant raises offsetting claims. Landlords who prevail against a counterclaim that the court finds meritless and not raised in good faith may be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees, making documentation of good-faith compliance with the rental agreement especially important.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 562A.24 gives tenants the right to raise counterclaims—such as claims for the landlord's failure to maintain the property or other violations of the rental agreement or Iowa law—directly within an eviction or rent-collection case, rather than having to file a separate lawsuit. If a court finds that the counterclaim offsets or eliminates the rent owed, the eviction action may be decided in the tenant's favor. Tenants who believe they have grounds for a counterclaim under § 562A.24 may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the range of options available to them.
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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