Iowa Sublease Agreement

An Iowa sublease agreement is a contract that allows the original tenant on a residential lease to re-rent their living space to a subtenant for part or all of the lease term. Although it’s separate from the original lease and does not directly involve the landlord, a sublease agreement must not contradict the terms of the original lease, including any payment or maintenance obligations.

Iowa Sublease Agreement

Last updated May 14th, 2025

An Iowa sublease agreement is a contract that allows the original tenant on a residential lease to re-rent their living space to a subtenant for part or all of the lease term. Although it’s separate from the original lease and does not directly involve the landlord, a sublease agreement must not contradict the terms of the original lease, including any payment or maintenance obligations.

Rules for Subleasing

Since no statutes regulate sublease agreements in Iowa, the lease terms will determine whether subleasing is allowed. Typically, subleasing is permitted with the landlord’s consent.[1]

  • Sublease Requests – Even if the tenant is required to ask for permission to sublease, the landlord cannot decline the request without a valid reason.[2]

Iowa Sublease Agreement (Preview)

Sources

  1. Landlord-Tenant Law (p. 6)
  2. De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc., 879 N.W. 2d 155, 184 (Iowa 2016)