Indiana Landlord-Tenant Laws: Rights and Duties for Both Sides

Indiana requires reasonable notice before a landlord enters, sets basic landlord maintenance duties and lets tenants sue to enforce them after notice. Since 2020 state law also bars retaliation against tenants who complain to code officials or the landlord.

Indiana landlord-tenant rights at a glance

Rule	Indiana	Law
Notice before entry	The landlord gives reasonable written or oral notice before entering and enters only at reasonable times; no notice is needed in an emergency that threatens safety or property.	IC 32-31-5-6
Tenant repair remedies	A tenant can sue to enforce the landlord's maintenance duties after giving notice of the problem and a reasonable time to fix it; the statute does not authorize withholding rent.	IC 32-31-8-6
Retaliation protection	A landlord may not raise rent, cut services or bring or threaten an eviction because a tenant complained to a code agency, complained in writing about repairs, sued under the landlord tenant laws, joined a tenant group or testified against the landlord.	IC 32-31-8.5
Deadline to return the deposit	The landlord must return the deposit, less lawful deductions, with a written itemized notice no later than 45 days after the lease ends and the tenant gives up possession. The landlord is not liable until the tenant gives a mailing address in writing.	IC 32-31-3-12 and IC 32-31-3-14

Repairs and habitability

Every residential tenancy comes with a duty to keep the home safe and livable. Put repair requests in writing and keep a dated record of each step.

Tenant repair remedies. A tenant can sue to enforce the landlord's maintenance duties after giving notice of the problem and a reasonable time to fix it; the statute does not authorize withholding rent. (IC 32-31-8-6)

Entry and privacy

Notice before entry. The landlord gives reasonable written or oral notice before entering and enters only at reasonable times; no notice is needed in an emergency that threatens safety or property. (IC 32-31-5-6)

Retaliation

Retaliation protection. A landlord may not raise rent, cut services or bring or threaten an eviction because a tenant complained to a code agency, complained in writing about repairs, sued under the landlord tenant laws, joined a tenant group or testified against the landlord. (IC 32-31-8.5)

Rent, late fees and grace periods

We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.

Applications and screening

Federal fair housing law applies everywhere: apply the same written criteria to every applicant, and never screen on a protected characteristic.

We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.

Disclosures to include with the lease

Disclosures are easiest to get right at lease signing. Other disclosures may also be required by your city or by the property itself, so check before you sign.

Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))

Required disclosures. At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must give the tenant in writing the names and addresses of an Indiana resident authorized to manage the unit and of the person authorized to receive notices. (IC 32-31-3-18)

Security deposits in brief

Deposit limit. Indiana law generally does not set a dollar or months limit on security deposits. (IC 32-31-3)

Deadline to return the deposit. The landlord must return the deposit, less lawful deductions, with a written itemized notice no later than 45 days after the lease ends and the tenant gives up possession. The landlord is not liable until the tenant gives a mailing address in writing. (IC 32-31-3-12 and IC 32-31-3-14)

Mistakes to avoid

• Entering a unit without the notice the lease or the law requires.
• Letting a written repair request sit without a reply or a plan.
• Leaving required disclosures out of the lease packet.
• Applying screening criteria differently from one applicant to the next.
• Raising rent or ending a tenancy soon after a complaint without a documented, unrelated reason.