Iowa Code ch. 570 § 570.9
Sale of crops held by landlord’s lien
Operative Text
If any tenant of farmlands, with intent to defraud, shall sell, conceal, or in any manner dispose of any of the grain, or other annual products thereof upon which there is a landlord’s lien for unpaid rent, without the written consent of the landlord, the tenant shall be guilty of theft.
Iowa Code ch. 570 § 570.9 establishes that a tenant who intentionally sells, hides, or otherwise disposes of grain or other annual farm products subject to a landlord's lien for unpaid rent—without the landlord's written permission—commits theft under Iowa law. The rule applies specifically to farmland tenancies where a landlord's lien exists on crops. The key elements are fraudulent intent, the existence of an unpaid-rent lien, and the absence of written landlord consent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 570 § 570.9, landlords holding a lien on crops for unpaid rent have a legal protection against tenants who fraudulently dispose of those crops without written consent. Compliant farmland operators typically document their lien rights clearly in lease agreements and maintain records of any written consent they grant for crop sales or transfers. When a landlord suspects unauthorized disposal of liened crops, the matter may be referred to law enforcement, as the provision classifies such conduct as theft.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 570 § 570.9 means that farmland tenants who sell or otherwise move crops subject to a landlord's lien for unpaid rent without written landlord approval may face criminal theft charges. Tenants who need to sell or transfer crops while rent remains unpaid generally seek written consent from the landlord before doing so. Those who believe they have been wrongly accused under this provision may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or an attorney familiar with Iowa agricultural tenancy law to understand available defenses.
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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