DisputeKit / States / Iowa
Your consumer rights in Iowa
What Iowa and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
30 days. Under Iowa Code § 562A.12, a landlord must return the rental deposit or provide a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding any part of it within 30 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. The 30 days only start once your landlord has your mailing address in writing. If they miss that deadline, they lose the right to keep any part of the deposit. A court may also award punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, in addition to actual damages, for bad-faith retention of the deposit.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Iowa has no automatic-renewal statute. For subscriptions sold online, the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a simple way to stop recurring charges, and Iowa's general consumer protection law applies.
Small claims and complaints in Iowa
- Iowa consumer law
- Iowa Code § 714H.3 (Private Right of Action for Consumer Frauds Act)
- Where to file a complaint
- Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
- Small claims limit
- $6,500 for money judgments
- Filing fee
- $115 filing fee, plus the cost of serving the other party