Indiana · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Indiana tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Indiana must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

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.

Repair and deduct
No statute
Withholding rent
Not allowed
Notice before entry
Reasonable notice

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).

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.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Indiana: Give the landlord notice of the problem, in writing if possible, and allow reasonable access to fix it.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

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.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Indiana's rule on asking 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.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Indiana

Questions about repairs in Indiana

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).

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.

More for Indiana renters

Repairs in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.