Iowa Rental Application Form
There are so many reasons to move to Iowa: affordable cost of living, low crime rate, beautiful scenery, and reasonably priced housing. If you’re considering making Iowa home by renting an apartment in the state, you must fill out a rental application form before signing an Iowa lease agreement.
An Iowa rental application form is a document a potential tenant submits to a landlord signifying their interest in a rental unit. The form contains basic information about the property (type, size, and rent amount) and the applicant (name, phone number, date of birth, and more).
The prospective tenant must fill out the form and indicate their social security number, driver’s license number, and employment background. The applicant’s income and current employment details are essential information for the landlord because they will only offer tenancy to a person who can afford to pay rent on time each month.
The rental application form also includes authorization for the landlord to initiate a background check on the prospective tenant. Once the form is submitted, the landlord will proceed with the inquiry.
The rental application form can be rejected or approved. Applicants should be aware of their rights under the Federal Fair Housing Act, which states that landlords cannot discriminate against people based on the color of their skin, gender, religion, familial status, or disability.
Rental Application Fee
Iowa law does not mandate the maximum amount a landlord can charge as a rental application fee. This non-refundable fee will be used to pay for the processing of the rental application form and background check, which is done by an agency or via software.
The background check will look into a potential tenant’s credit rating to determine if they are in good financial health. It means the applicant has a positive repayment history, low balances on credit cards, and manageable debts.
The rental application fee will also cover charges on inquiries about an applicant’s eviction record and criminal history, if applicable.
Security Deposits
Iowa landlords can collect a maximum security deposit equivalent to two months’ rent. Unlike rental application fees, security deposits are refundable. Landlords have 30 days from the end of the tenancy to return the security deposit to the tenant.
However, the landlord can deduct repair expenses from the security deposit if there is damage to the property aside from the regular wear and tear. The landlord can also deduct unpaid rent from the security deposit before turning over the remaining amount to the tenant (IA Code § 562A.12).