Indiana Required Landlord Disclosures: Complete Compliance Checklist

Indiana law requires landlords to make several important disclosures to tenants before or at the beginning of a tenancy. Failure to provide these disclosures can result in legal liability and may affect a landlord's ability to enforce lease terms.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney in Indiana for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Required Disclosures Summary

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

For any residential property built before 1978, federal law (42 U.S.C. §4852d) requires landlords to:

• Disclose any known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards
• Provide tenants with the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home"
• Include a lead warning statement in the lease
• Allow tenants 10 days to conduct a lead inspection (unless waived in writing)
• Retain signed acknowledgments for at least 3 years

Penalties for Non-Disclosure

Failure to comply with federal lead paint disclosure requirements can result in:

• Fines of up to $19,507 per violation (EPA-adjusted)
• Triple damages in private lawsuits
• Criminal penalties for willful violations

Landlord/Agent Identity Disclosure

Indiana law requires landlords to disclose the name and address of:

• The person authorized to manage the property
• The person authorized to receive notices and demands on behalf of the landlord

This disclosure must be provided at or before the start of the tenancy. If there is a change in management, the tenant must be notified within a reasonable time.

Smoke Detector Acknowledgment

Indiana landlords are required to:

• Install and maintain functioning smoke detectors in each rental unit
• Provide written notice at the start of each tenancy confirming that the unit has working smoke detectors
• Obtain the tenant's signed acknowledgment of this notice

After move-in, the tenant is responsible for maintaining the smoke detectors (e.g., replacing batteries) unless the unit has a sealed, long-life battery detector or is hardwired.

Flood Zone Disclosure

If the rental property is located in a designated flood zone, the landlord must disclose this information to the tenant. This disclosure should include:

• Whether the property is in a FEMA-designated flood area
• Any history of flood damage
• Whether flood insurance is recommended or required

Bed Bug History

Landlords should disclose any known bed bug infestations, including:

• Current infestations
• Recent treatment history
• Known infestations in adjacent units (for multi-unit properties)

While Indiana does not have a comprehensive bed bug statute, failure to disclose known infestations can expose landlords to habitability claims.

Mold Disclosure

If there is evidence of significant mold that could pose health risks, the landlord should disclose this to prospective tenants. This includes:

• Visible mold growth
• History of moisture or water damage that could lead to mold
• Any professional remediation that has been performed

Utility Arrangements

For properties with shared utility configurations, landlords must disclose:

• Which utilities are shared between units
• How shared utility costs are divided
• Which utilities the tenant is responsible for paying directly

This prevents tenants from receiving unexpected bills for utilities serving other units or common areas.

Best Practices for Compliance

1. Create a disclosure packet — Compile all required disclosures into a single document provided at lease signing
2. Get signed acknowledgments — Have tenants sign confirming receipt of each disclosure
3. Keep records for at least 3 years — Federal lead paint rules require 3-year retention; longer is better
4. Update disclosures regularly — Review and update your disclosure packet when laws change
5. Disclose proactively — When in doubt, disclose. Transparency reduces liability
6. Use standardized forms — Indiana Association of REALTORS® provides approved disclosure forms

How Landager Helps

Landager's dashboard allows you to store and track all tenant disclosures, set reminders for required updates, and maintain a compliance audit trail — ensuring you never miss a required disclosure.

Back to Indiana Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.