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Free Iowa Rental Application Form

An Iowa Rental Application Form can help you effectively streamline your vetting process. This form collects the personal details and financial proof of all applicants. This gives you all the info you need to pick the right tenant. It also acts as a legal record of consent for background checks.

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Last Update April 14, 2026

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What Is an Iowa Residential Rental Application?Iowa Rental Application SampleWhat to Include in an Iowa Rental Application FormIowa Rental Application LawsRelated Real Estate DocumentsFAQs 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 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.

Iowa Rental Application Form
Create an Iowa Rental Application
PDFWORD

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 forEssential 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 specific state statutes policing housing discrimination under the Iowa Civil Rights Act (Iowa Code Chapter 216). In addition, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is enshrined in federal law, meaning that landlords may not refuse a tenant for discriminatory reasons.

Under these laws, you may not reject a tenant application for reasons such as their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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.

Related Real Estate Documents

Managing real estate can be tricky and it is essential to ensure that your activities are legally compliant at all times. Take advantage of the full range of property management legal documents below whenever you need to perform crucial tasks:

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.

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.

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

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

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 SignatureDate
__________________________________________
Co-Applicant's SignatureDate

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