This bill amends Iowa's landlord and tenant law by redefining "rent" to encompass base rent, utilities, late fees, and other tenant payments. It also revises the computation of time for service of notices, specifying that the first day is excluded while the final day is included, irrespective of weekends or holidays. Additionally, the bill modifies the enforcement of rental agreements by allowing tenants to recover damages if prohibited provisions are enforced against them.

Moreover, the bill introduces new procedures for eviction actions, including the disposal of tenants' personal property and the sealing of court records under certain conditions. Court records must be sealed within three days if a defendant is found not guilty, the case is dismissed, or if there is no genuine issue of material fact. It establishes criteria for defendants to apply for sealing their eviction records after a specified period, contingent upon the payment of court-related costs. The bill also restricts public access to sealed records, allowing only the defendant or their attorney to request inspection for specific purposes. These provisions, particularly those related to sealing court records, are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 562A.6, 562A.8, 562A.11, 562A.29A, 618.15, 562B.11, 562B.27A, 648.22