Iowa Code ch. 562A § 562A.30
Waiver of landlord’s right to terminate
Operative Text
1. Acceptance of performance by the tenant that varies from the terms of the rental agreement or rules subsequently adopted by the landlord constitutes a waiver of the landlord’s right to terminate the rental agreement for that breach. 2. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a landlord from granting a waiver for a term of days, provided the landlord gives notice of the breach and temporary waiver to a tenant consistent with section 562A.8 prior to a tenant acting or failing to act in reliance on the grant of a temporary waiver.
Iowa Code § 562A.30 addresses what happens when a landlord accepts a tenant's performance that differs from the lease terms or the landlord's own rules. Under this provision, that acceptance generally operates as a waiver, meaning the landlord loses the right to terminate the tenancy based on that particular breach. However, the rule also allows a landlord to grant a limited, time-bound waiver without permanently surrendering termination rights, as long as proper notice is given to the tenant before the tenant acts in reliance on that temporary waiver.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code § 562A.30, property owners and managers should be aware that routinely accepting rent payments or other performance that deviates from lease terms can inadvertently waive the right to terminate for those deviations. Operators who wish to accommodate a tenant's non-conforming conduct on a temporary basis generally document that accommodation as a time-limited waiver and deliver written notice consistent with § 562A.8 before the tenant acts in reliance on it. Maintaining consistent enforcement practices and clear written records helps preserve termination rights for ongoing or future breaches.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 562A.30 provides tenants with a meaningful protection: if a landlord has consistently accepted performance that differs from the lease—such as a different payment schedule or a practice not strictly permitted by the rules—that acceptance may constitute a waiver of the landlord's right to terminate for that specific breach. Tenants should be aware that a landlord can still issue a properly noticed temporary waiver under § 562A.8, which is time-limited and does not permanently alter the lease terms. If a landlord attempts to terminate a tenancy for conduct they previously accepted without objection, tenants may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how this waiver principle might apply to their circumstances.
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