Though it may sound bad, early termination by either party can be a cleansing act for the property. Sometimes it’s necessary for the landlord to simply restart with a new tenant in the best interest for the landlord and the property. The following terms are legal justification that either party may terminate the lease early:

Termination by the landlord

  1. The tenant or their occupants, guests, or invitees fail to comply with any term of the agreement;
  2. The tenant misrepresents any material fact on their rental application;
  3. There is a material noncompliance by the tenant with the agreement or a noncompliance with Iowa Code § 562A.17 materially affecting health and safety, per Iowa Code § 562A.27;
  4. The tenant has created or maintained a threat constituting a clear and present danger to the health or safety of other tenants, the landlord, his or her employee or agent, or other persons on or within one thousand feet of the landlord’s property, per Iowa Code § 562A.27A; or
  5. The tenant refuses to allow lawful access, per § 562A.35.

Termination by the tenant

  1. There is a material noncompliance by the landlord with this agreement or a noncompliance with Iowa Code § 562A.15 materially affecting health and safety, per Iowa Code § 562A.21;
  2. The landlord fails to deliver possession of the premises, per Iowa Code § 562A.22;
  3. The premises is damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to the extent that normal use and occupancy is substantially impaired, per Iowa Code § 562A.25; or
  4. The landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the Premises or willfully diminishes services, per Iowa Code § 562A.26.