Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—68 § 481—68.14
Criteria for admission and retention of tenants.
Operative Text
68.14(1) Persons who may not be admitted or retained. A program shall not knowingly admit or retain a tenant who: a. Is bed-bound; or b. Requires routine, one-person assistance with standing, transfer or evacuation; or c. Is dangerous to self or other tenants or staff, including but not limited to a tenant who: (1) Despite intervention chronically elopes, is sexually, verbally or physically aggressive or abusive; or (2) Displays behavior that places another tenant at risk; or d. Is in an acute stage of alcoholism, drug addiction, or uncontrolled mental illness; or e. Is under the age of 18; or f. Requires more than part-time or intermittent health-related care; or g. Has unmanageable incontinence on a routine basis despite an individualized toileting program; or h. Is medically unstable; or i. Requires maximal assistance with activities of daily living; or j. Is physically or mentally unable to immediately and without aid of another travel a normal path to safety, including the ascent and descent of stairs from the tenant’s bedroom or bathroom. 68.14(2) Disclosure of additional occupancy and transfer criteria. A program may have additional occupancy or transfer criteria if the criteria are disclosed in the written occupancy agreement prior to the tenant’s occupancy. 68.14(3) Assistance with transfer from the program. A program shall assist a tenant and the tenant’s legal representative, if applicable, to ensure a safe and orderly transfer from the program when the tenant exceeds the program’s criteria for admission and retention.
Iowa Administrative Code rule 481—68.14 sets out the categories of individuals that assisted-living-type programs in Iowa are prohibited from admitting or keeping as tenants, including people who are bed-bound, require routine physical assistance with movement or evacuation, pose a danger to themselves or others, are in an acute stage of substance addiction or uncontrolled mental illness, are under 18, need more than part-time health care, have unmanageable incontinence, are medically unstable, require maximal daily-living assistance, or cannot independently travel a safe exit path. Programs may also establish additional occupancy or transfer criteria, provided those criteria are disclosed in the written occupancy agreement before move-in. When a tenant's needs exceed the program's criteria, the program is required to help facilitate a safe and orderly transfer.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—68.14, operators of covered programs are expected to screen prospective tenants against the enumerated admission criteria and to monitor current tenants on an ongoing basis to ensure their needs remain within the program's scope. Any additional occupancy or transfer criteria beyond those listed in the rule must be clearly spelled out in the written occupancy agreement before a tenant moves in. When a tenant's condition changes and exceeds the program's retention criteria, compliant operators actively assist that tenant and any legal representative in arranging a safe, orderly transfer to a more appropriate setting.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—68.14 establishes that a covered program cannot simply discharge a tenant without cause — any transfer must be based on criteria that are either listed in the rule itself or were disclosed in writing in the occupancy agreement before move-in. If a program attempts to transfer or discharge a tenant, residents and their legal representatives have the right to receive assistance from the program in arranging a safe transition. Tenants who believe a transfer or denial of admission was handled improperly may wish to review their written occupancy agreement, contact the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (which oversees rule 481—68), or reach out to a tenant-rights or elder-law 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.
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