Indiana · Renters' rights · Updated Oct 2026
Indiana tenant rights
Security deposits, repairs, landlord entry, notices and evictions in Indiana, in plain English from official sources, with free tools to get your deposit back and ask for repairs.
Guides for Indiana renters
Security deposit
Limit, deadline, deductions, penalty and the calculator.
Repairs
The landlord's duty, repair and deduct, withholding rent and a repair letter.
Eviction
Notice periods, court deadlines, illegal lockouts and a timeline tool.
Security deposit in Indiana
- Limit
- No statewide limit.
- Deadline to return it
- The statute says the landlord must return the deposit, minus allowed deductions listed in a written itemized notice, no more than 45 days after the lease ends and you give back possession (IC 32-31-3-12, -14). But the landlord is not liable for missing that deadline until you give it a mailing address in writing, and the Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual describes the deadline as 45 days after the landlord receives your forwarding address. To be safe, give your forwarding address in writing on or before the day you move out, so the 45 days clearly start then. The refund comes as a check or money order with the itemized list. You cannot use the deposit as your last month's rent unless a written agreement says so.
- Itemized list
- Yes. The landlord must mail an itemized list of damages with the estimated cost of repair for each item. Receipts are not required. If the landlord does not send the list in time, the law treats it as agreeing that no damages are owed, and it must return the full deposit.
- What may be deducted
- Only: actual damage to the unit beyond ordinary wear and tear; unpaid rent, including rent owed because you ended the lease early; the last month's rent if a written agreement says the deposit will be used for it; and unpaid utility or sewer charges you were supposed to pay under the lease.
- Interest
- No. The statute does not require interest.
- If the landlord keeps it wrongly
- If the landlord does not follow the rules, you can recover the deposit withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. There is no double or triple penalty.
How to get your deposit back
- Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
- Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Indiana: But the landlord is not liable for missing that deadline until you give it a mailing address in writing, and the Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual describes the deadline as 45 days after the landlord receives your forwarding address.
- Wait for the deadline: The statute says the landlord must return the deposit, minus allowed deductions listed in a written itemized notice, no more than 45 days after the lease ends and you give back possession (IC 32-31-3-12, -14).
- If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
- If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and attorney fees (same in Marion County township courts). Small claims court in Indiana on Small Claims Map
Repairs in Indiana
- The landlord's duty
- The landlord must deliver the home safe, clean and habitable, follow health and housing codes, keep common areas clean, and keep in good and safe working order the electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, elevators, and appliances supplied with the rental, if they were there when you signed. Heat must be adequate at all times. IC 32-31-8-5.
- How to ask for repairs
- Give the landlord notice of the problem, in writing if possible, and allow reasonable access to fix it. The statute gives the landlord 'a reasonable amount of time' (no set number of days). If it is not fixed, you can sue in small claims or another court. IC 32-31-8-6.
- Repair and deduct
- No statute allows it. The Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual says you may have repairs done and deduct the cost only for essential repairs the landlord has agreed to make, after a prior request and a reasonable time. Get legal advice before deducting.
- Withholding rent
- Not allowed by statute. Your remedy is to give notice and, if the landlord does not fix the problem in a reasonable time, sue for damages (including consequential damages), a court order, and attorney's fees. IC 32-31-8-6.
- Law
- IC 32-31-8-5, 32-31-8-6
Landlord entry in Indiana
Reasonable written or oral notice, and entry only at reasonable times. No notice is needed in an emergency that threatens safety or the property. The landlord may not abuse entry or use it to harass you. No fixed number of hours. IC 32-31-5-6(e)-(g).
Eviction in Indiana
- Notice for unpaid rent
- 10-day notice to pay or leave, unless the lease says otherwise; if you pay all the rent before the 10 days run out, the lease cannot be ended for that nonpayment. If the lease requires rent in advance and you do not pay, the statute allows the landlord to proceed with no notice. IC 32-31-1-6, 32-31-1-8.
- Notice for a lease violation
- No general statutory cure period for lease violations; the landlord must give notice of the problem and a reasonable time to fix it before suing for damages (IC 32-31-7-7). Check your lease for notice terms.
- Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- One month's written notice, by landlord or tenant, unless the lease says otherwise. IC 32-31-1-1; Indiana Small Claims Manual.
- Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit
- No written answer is required in a small claims eviction. Go to the hearing on the date in the Notice of Claim; if you do not, the court can enter a default judgment. If you want a jury trial, you must ask within 10 days after you are served.
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Yes. Without a court order, the landlord may not lock you out, change locks, remove doors, windows, fixtures or appliances, or cut off electricity, gas, water or other essential services (except for emergencies or good-faith repairs). You can file for an emergency possessory order; the court must hold a hearing within 3 business days and can order the landlord to let you back in. You can also sue for damages, and the courts' manual notes punitive damages are possible. IC 32-31-5-6, 32-31-6.
- Court self-help
- The court's eviction self-help page
- Law
- IC 32-31-1-1, 32-31-1-6, 32-31-1-8, 32-31-5-6, 32-31-6
Rent increases and rent control in Indiana
- Notice of a rent increase
- At least 30 days' written notice before the landlord changes the rental agreement (including rent), unless a written lease says otherwise. IC 32-31-5-4.
- Rent control
- No statewide rent cap. Cities and counties may not regulate rents, deposits, fees or most lease terms (IC 32-31-1-20).
Late fees in Indiana
No statutory cap. A reasonable late fee may be charged only if agreed to in writing (Indiana Small Claims Manual).
Retaliation in Indiana
Since 2020, a landlord may not raise rent, cut or interfere with services, or file or threaten an eviction because you complained to a housing code agency about a health-or-safety violation, complained to the landlord in writing about repairs or a lockout/utility shutoff, sued the landlord, joined a tenants' organization, or testified against the landlord. The statute sets no presumption period and no specific damages. The landlord may still refuse to renew at the end of the lease, raise rent to market level, or evict for unpaid rent and certain other reasons. Cities may not pass their own retaliation rules. IC 32-31-8.5.
Small claims court in Indiana
Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.
Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and attorney fees (same in Marion County township courts).
Where to get free help in Indiana
Good to know in Indiana
- Send your forwarding address in writing when you move out: the landlord cannot be held liable for missing the 45-day deposit deadline until it has your address in writing.
- Indiana has no deposit cap, no statutory repair-and-deduct and no rent withholding; for repairs you must give notice and then sue.
- Cities cannot pass rent control or most tenant-protection ordinances; state law sets the rules.
Recent law changes
2025 session: P.L.157-2025 lets landlords seek an emergency possessory order (tenant out within 7 days) for crimes affecting others' safety or materially false application information; P.L.128-2025 expanded sealing of eviction records (including cases dismissed or resolved); P.L.191-2025 created a fast squatter-removal process (IC 32-31-12) with a civil claim for wrongful removal; P.L.154-2025 changed rules on selling abandoned property. No changes found to the deposit, notice, entry or repair sections. The 2026 Indiana Code shows no 2026-session amendments to IC 32-31.
Free tools for Indiana renters
Pre-set for Indiana. They run in your browser and send nothing.
Deposit return calculator for Indiana
Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Security deposit demand letter for Indiana
A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
Repair request letter for Indiana
Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.
Eviction notice timeline for Indiana
Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.
This is not legal advice. Eviction deadlines are short and missing one can cost you your home. Read your notice carefully and contact legal aid or your court's self-help center right away.
Questions about renters' rights in Indiana
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Indiana?
No statewide limit.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Indiana?
The statute says the landlord must return the deposit, minus allowed deductions listed in a written itemized notice, no more than 45 days after the lease ends and you give back possession (IC 32-31-3-12, -14). But the landlord is not liable for missing that deadline until you give it a mailing address in writing, and the Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual describes the deadline as 45 days after the landlord receives your forwarding address. To be safe, give your forwarding address in writing on or before the day you move out, so the 45 days clearly start then. The refund comes as a check or money order with the itemized list. You cannot use the deposit as your last month's rent unless a written agreement says so.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Indiana?
If the landlord does not follow the rules, you can recover the deposit withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. There is no double or triple penalty.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Indiana?
Only: actual damage to the unit beyond ordinary wear and tear; unpaid rent, including rent owed because you ended the lease early; the last month's rent if a written agreement says the deposit will be used for it; and unpaid utility or sewer charges you were supposed to pay under the lease.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Indiana?
No. The statute does not require interest.
How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Indiana?
Give the landlord notice of the problem, in writing if possible, and allow reasonable access to fix it. The statute gives the landlord 'a reasonable amount of time' (no set number of days). If it is not fixed, you can sue in small claims or another court. IC 32-31-8-6.
Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Indiana?
No statute allows it. The Indiana courts' Small Claims Manual says you may have repairs done and deduct the cost only for essential repairs the landlord has agreed to make, after a prior request and a reasonable time. Get legal advice before deducting.
Can I withhold rent for repairs in Indiana?
Not allowed by statute. Your remedy is to give notice and, if the landlord does not fix the problem in a reasonable time, sue for damages (including consequential damages), a court order, and attorney's fees. IC 32-31-8-6.
How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Indiana?
Reasonable written or oral notice, and entry only at reasonable times. No notice is needed in an emergency that threatens safety or the property. The landlord may not abuse entry or use it to harass you. No fixed number of hours. IC 32-31-5-6(e)-(g).
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Indiana?
10-day notice to pay or leave, unless the lease says otherwise; if you pay all the rent before the 10 days run out, the lease cannot be ended for that nonpayment. If the lease requires rent in advance and you do not pay, the statute allows the landlord to proceed with no notice. IC 32-31-1-6, 32-31-1-8.
How much notice for a lease violation in Indiana?
No general statutory cure period for lease violations; the landlord must give notice of the problem and a reasonable time to fix it before suing for damages (IC 32-31-7-7). Check your lease for notice terms.
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Indiana?
One month's written notice, by landlord or tenant, unless the lease says otherwise. IC 32-31-1-1; Indiana Small Claims Manual.
How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in Indiana?
No written answer is required in a small claims eviction. Go to the hearing on the date in the Notice of Claim; if you do not, the court can enter a default judgment. If you want a jury trial, you must ask within 10 days after you are served.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Indiana?
Yes. Without a court order, the landlord may not lock you out, change locks, remove doors, windows, fixtures or appliances, or cut off electricity, gas, water or other essential services (except for emergencies or good-faith repairs). You can file for an emergency possessory order; the court must hold a hearing within 3 business days and can order the landlord to let you back in. You can also sue for damages, and the courts' manual notes punitive damages are possible. IC 32-31-5-6, 32-31-6.
How much notice is needed for a rent increase in Indiana?
At least 30 days' written notice before the landlord changes the rental agreement (including rent), unless a written lease says otherwise. IC 32-31-5-4.
Is there rent control in Indiana?
No statewide rent cap. Cities and counties may not regulate rents, deposits, fees or most lease terms (IC 32-31-1-20).
Is there a limit on late fees in Indiana?
No statutory cap. A reasonable late fee may be charged only if agreed to in writing (Indiana Small Claims Manual).
Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Indiana?
Since 2020, a landlord may not raise rent, cut or interfere with services, or file or threaten an eviction because you complained to a housing code agency about a health-or-safety violation, complained to the landlord in writing about repairs or a lockout/utility shutoff, sued the landlord, joined a tenants' organization, or testified against the landlord. The statute sets no presumption period and no specific damages. The landlord may still refuse to renew at the end of the lease, raise rent to market level, or evict for unpaid rent and certain other reasons. Cities may not pass their own retaliation rules. IC 32-31-8.5.
What is the small claims limit in Indiana?
$10,000, not counting interest and attorney fees (same in Marion County township courts).