Iowa mobile home rights cheat sheet

A quick reference to how Iowa law generally treats mobile home lot tenancies. Iowa has a dedicated statute — the Manufactured or Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Law (Iowa Code Chapter 562B). This is general information, not legal advice, and the authors are not lawyers — for a specific situation, consider consulting a licensed attorney in Iowa. Each line cites the controlling authority; read it at the official source linked in Sources below.

At a glance

Topic	What the law generally provides	Cite
Governing act	Dedicated Manufactured or Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Law covers leases, rent, fees, utilities, eviction, and sales.	Ch. 562B
Lease term	Default term of one year; either party cancels with at least 90 days' written notice; no cancellation just to free the space for another home.	§562B.10(5)
Lot rent increase	No cap. Requires at least 90 days' written notice; cannot take effect before the term expires.	§562B.14(7)
Late fees	Capped by rent level: rent ≤ $700 → max $12/day, $60/mo; rent > $700 → max $20/day, $100/mo.	§562B.10(4)
Security deposit	Capped at two months' rent; return or written statement within 30 days; bad-faith retention adds up to $200 punitive.	§562B.13
Eviction — nonpayment	3-day written notice to pay or the agreement terminates.	§562B.25(2)
Eviction — other breach	30-day termination notice with a 14-day cure; court process under Chapter 648.	§562B.25(1)
Retaliation	Barred after a good-faith code complaint or tenant-union activity; a complaint within a year is presumed retaliation.	§562B.32
Utilities	Written rate explanation before signing; increases follow the 90-day notice; no metering contrary to tariff; water/essential-service remedies.	§562B.14(6), §562B.23A
Selling in place	Right to sell at your own price; buyer approval not unreasonably withheld; no commission unless the park is your agent.	§562B.19(3)
Entrance/exit fees	Barred unless for services actually rendered or under a written agreement.	§562B.19(3)(b)
Title / affixture	Certificate of title via the Department of Transportation; conversion to real estate by permanent foundation (outside a park).	§562B.17A; §435.26

How to use this

This sheet summarizes; it does not replace the statute or legal advice. The exact wording, exceptions, and procedures live in the sections cited above and in the park's own rental agreement and rules. Other authorities — Iowa's forcible-entry chapter (648), the Iowa Utilities Commission, federal law, and local ordinances — can also apply.

Where to read more

• Iowa topic guides on FightMyPark: lot rent, eviction, fees, utilities, buying, selling, title, and storm.
• The official statute text and agency pages, linked in the Sources section below.