Iowa Code Title XV. Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures [Chs. 595-686] § 648.19. No joinder or counterclaim--exception

1. An action under this chapter shall not be filed in connection with any other action, with the exception of a claim for rent or recovery as provided in section 555B.3, 562A.24, 562A.32, 562B.17A, 562B.22, 562B.25, or 562B.27, nor shall it be made the subject of counterclaim.

2. When filed with an action for rent or recovery as provided in section 555B.3, 562A.24, 562A.32, 562B.22, 562B.25, or 562B.27, notice of hearing as provided in section 648.5 is sufficient.

3. An action under this chapter that is filed in connection with another action in accordance with this section shall be treated only as a joint filing of separate cases assigned separate case numbers, but with a single filing fee. The court shall not merge the causes of action. The court shall consider the jointly filed cases separately and shall consider each case according to the rules applicable to that type of case.