Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.2
By legal representatives
Operative Text
The legal representative of a person who, if alive, might have been plaintiff may bring this action after the person’s death.
Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.2 provides that when a person who would have had the right to bring a forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action dies, that right does not automatically extinguish. Instead, the deceased person's legal representative — such as an executor or administrator of the estate — may step into that role and pursue the action on behalf of the estate. This ensures that the death of a potential plaintiff does not automatically defeat a pending or prospective claim for possession of property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.2, property owners and managers should be aware that if a landlord or property owner dies while a forcible entry and detainer action is pending or contemplated, the estate's legal representative can generally continue or initiate that action. Compliant operators typically ensure that estate administration documents are in order so that the authorized representative can act on the estate's behalf without unnecessary delay. Coordinating with the estate's administrator or executor early in the process is a common practice when ownership transitions occur mid-dispute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.2 means that a tenant facing an eviction action should be aware that the death of the landlord does not necessarily end the proceedings — the landlord's legal representative may carry the case forward. Tenants in this situation have the same rights and defenses available to them as they would against the original landlord. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service can help tenants understand how this continuation of a claim may affect their particular 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.
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