Free Iowa Rental Application Form

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Table of Contents:

What Is an Iowa Residential Rental Application
Iowa Rental Applications by Type
What to Include in an Iowa Rental Application Form
Iowa Rental Application Laws
Iowa Rental Application Sample
Related Real Estate Documents
FAQs About Iowa Rental Application Form

What Is an Iowa Residential Rental Application

An Iowa rental application is a real estate form used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property. They are sometimes known by other common names, such as:

Tenant applications
Rental lease applications
Lease applications
Applications for a rental property

Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.

Iowa Rental Applications by Type

You will need to choose the correct type of rental application template depending on the people you are renting to and your property’s designation. There are two options to choose from in Iowa, which can be seen below.

	Standard/General Rental Application	Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application
Which landlords can use it?	Private landlords	Landlords with Section 8 housing
What kind of tenants is it designed for?	Any	Tenants eligible for subsidized housing

What to Include in an Iowa Rental Application Form

Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on an IA rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.

Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for	Essential Disclosures from the Landlord
Personal data	The property’s condition
Rental history	Potential hazards to the tenant
Employment details	Shared utility arrangements
Income information	Rent control rules
Credit history	Smoking policy
Personal references	The security deposit
Permission for background checks	Associated fees

The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.

Iowa Rental Application Laws

There are a few laws that must be followed in Iowa when you create a rental application for tenants. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to serious legal consequences and allow the tenant to sue.

Application Fee

Landlords can charge any fee they choose for a rental application, as these are not limited by IA statutes. The fee that is paid is also non-refundable to the tenant.

Security Deposit

Landlords cannot charge more than 2 months’ rent if they are leasing an unfurnished apartment under Iowa law (§ 562A.12). The deposit must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of the date they vacate the property, minus any deductions (if applicable).

Housing Discrimination Law

Iowa has no specific statutes policing housing discrimination. Nevertheless, the Fair Housing Act (FHA), is enshrined in federal law meaning that landlords may not refuse a tenant for discriminatory reasons.

Under the FHA you may not reject a tenant application for reasons such as their race, religion, sex, family status or because they have any disabilities. You may also not discriminate against their criminal history (whether or not a background check is carried out) or nationality.

Notice of Eligibility

Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for possible denial or approval in advance. To prove that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.

Consent Credit Check

The Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) stipulates that potential tenants must agree to any credit checks you require. To show they consent, they must provide written acknowledgment on the application form.

Iowa Rental Application Sample

Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application can make it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.

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FAQs About Iowa Rental Application Form

Understanding what your IA rental application can and cannot do is vital before you create your own from scratch. Find out more about how these screening documents work and what you need to know when writing them.

How to Fill Out an Iowa Rental Application

Creating an IA rental application can be easily done with the help of our contract maker and template tools. When you fill out a rental application form, you will usually request the following information from the tenant:

Personal data
Rental history
Employment details
Income information
Credit history
Personal references
Permission for background checks

You must also include important legal disclosures on the property and the lease agreement being proposed. This will outline details on the condition of the property, any hazards, and information on aspects such as security deposit and fees. Our template designer will help you add the data that must be added.

Why Do I Need an Iowa Rental Application?

An Iowa rental application gives you the opportunity to learn more about your tenant before committing to a legal contract with them. The application lets you collect data on your prospective rental resident, so you may carry out important checks to:

Review their rental history
Verify their employment and income
Learn of any criminal history or credit issues

What Cannot Be Asked on Rental Applications in Iowa?

You cannot ask tenants a number of questions when you are vetting them with an Iowa rental application document. You must not request any of the following information from the applicant during this process:

Race or ethnicity
Religion
Sexuality
Immigration or citizenship status
Arrest records
Marital or familial status
Whether they have children or not

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Preview of your Iowa Rental Application

RENTAL APPLICATION

The following sections must be completed by the Applicant. Please note that, except for married couples, each occupant who is 18 years of age or older has to complete a separate application to rent.

Shall the Applicant have any question regarding the rental unit, please contact _________ at:
Email Address: _________
Phone: _________

The Applicant is a: (check one)

( ) Tenant
( ) Tenant with co-tenant(s)
( ) Guarantor/co-signor

PREMISES INFORMATION

Application to rent property at the following address:

_________ , _________, IA _________

Type of Property: House
Date of Availability: _________
Proposed Move-In Date: _________

APPLICANT'S INFORMATION

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME OF APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional. For purpose of obtaining credit reports. Age discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________

CO-APPLICANT'S INFORMATION (if applicable)

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME OF CO-APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________

OTHER OCCUPANTS' INFORMATION (if applicable)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

EMERGENCY CONTACT

In case of emergency, please contact:

Emergency contact #1: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________

Emergency contact #2: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pets

Pets are not allowed in the rental property. However, as provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.

Waterbeds

The Landlord prohibits the use of waterbeds on the rental unit.

Smoking and Vaping

The Landlord does not allow smoking or vaping in the rental unit.

CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing this Residential Rental Application, the Applicant accepts and agrees to the following:

(i)	This is only an application to rent and does not guarantee that the Applicant will be selected as a tenant of the premises.
(ii)	The Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent could receive multiple rental applications for the premises and will only select the most qualified individual.
(iii)	Applicant represents the above information to be true and complete.

Applicant hereby authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to do the following:

(i)	Verify all of the personal information provided above.
(ii)	Obtain a credit report, as well as other reports, on the Applicant.
(iii)	Applicant further authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to disclose information to the owners or agents of the premises with whom the Applicant intends to have a rental relationship.

Does the Applicant wish to receive a copy of the reports that we may obtain?

Yes ( ) No ( )

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Landlord does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any approval/disapproval of this application.

_______________________________	___________
Applicant's Signature	Date

_______________________________	___________
Co-Applicant's Signature	Date