Iowa Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
Iowa rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Preempted: cities and counties may not adopt or enforce any limit on the amount of rent for private residential or commercial property (except property in which the local government has an interest). No statewide cap. Iowa Code § 364.3(9) (cities); § 331.304(10) (counties)
The rules in Iowa
| Rent control / increase limits | Preempted: cities and counties may not adopt or enforce any limit on the amount of rent for private residential or commercial property (except property in which the local government has an interest). No statewide cap. County provision: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/331.304.pdf |
|---|---|
| Late fees | Rent of $700/month or less: late fee may not exceed $12 per day or $60 per month. Rent over $700/month: not more than $20 per day or $100 per month. Added by 2013 Acts, ch 97. No statutory grace period. Source: Iowa Code § 562A.9(4) |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Iowa vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | Preempted: cities and counties may not adopt or enforce any limit on the amount of rent for private residential or commercial property (except property in which the local government has an interest). No statewide cap. Iowa Code § 364.3(9) (cities); § 331.304(10) (counties) | Rent of $700/month or less: late fee may not exceed $12 per day or $60 per month. Rent over $700/month: not more than $20 per day or $100 per month. Iowa Code § 562A.9(4) |
| Illinois | No statewide rent control, and home rule units are preempted from regulating the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial property. 50 ILCS 825/10 (Rent Control Preemption Act) | No statutory cap statewide. AG: landlord may charge a reasonable fee for late rent. Landlords with 100+ units and an on-site office must accept rent there without penalty. Illinois AG fact sheet; 735 ILCS 5/9-218 |
| Minnesota | No statewide rent cap. State law preempts local rent control unless the measure is approved by voters in a general election. Saint Paul has a rent stabilization ordinance (originally adopted 'Ord of 11-2-2021', the 2021 general election date, per the ordinance's history notes): a 3% cap on increases within any 12-month period, with exceptions. Minn. Stat. § 471.9996; Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 193A | Allowed only if the landlord and tenant agreed in writing. The agreement must say when the fee will be charged. The fee may not exceed 8% of the overdue rent payment. There is no statutory grace period. Minn. Stat. § 504B.177 |
| Missouri | Statewide preemption. Counties and cities, including charter governments, may not enact, maintain, or enforce ordinances regulating the rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial rental property. Exceptions: property the locality owns, voluntary agreements for subsidized properties, and CDBG-assisted properties. RSMo 441.043 | No statute — no cap or grace period; late fees are governed by the lease. RSMo Chs. 441, 534 and 535 (no section on late fees) |
| Nebraska | Preempted statewide: cities, villages, counties and their subdivisions may not enact or enforce local laws controlling rent on private property, including home-rule cities; conflicting local laws are void. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331 (Laws 2025, LB266) | No statutory cap Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414 |
| South Dakota | No statewide rent control, and state law prohibits local rent control. No local government may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or other measure that would control the rent charged for private residential property. SDCL 6-1-13 | No statutory cap or grace period. None in SDCL Chapter 43-32 |
| Wisconsin | Preempted. No city, village, town, or county may regulate the amount of rent or fees charged for a residential rental unit. Inclusionary zoning is also prohibited. Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 | No statutory cap. A late fee may be charged only if the rental agreement specifically provides for it. Prepaid rent must be applied before a late fee is charged, and no fee may be charged for not paying a late fee. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8) |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
Iowa Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Iowa?
Preempted: cities and counties may not adopt or enforce any limit on the amount of rent for private residential or commercial property (except property in which the local government has an interest). No statewide cap. (Iowa Code § 364.3(9) (cities); § 331.304(10) (counties))
Is there a limit on late fees in Iowa?
Rent of $700/month or less: late fee may not exceed $12 per day or $60 per month. Rent over $700/month: not more than $20 per day or $100 per month. (Iowa Code § 562A.9(4))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.