Indiana Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners
Comprehensive overview of Indiana rental property laws including security deposits, eviction procedures, rent increases, required disclosures, and maintena...
Avis de non-responsabilité légale
Ce contenu est fourni à titre d'information générale et éducative uniquement. Il ne constitue pas un avis juridique et ne doit pas être considéré comme tel. Les lois changent fréquemment – vérifiez toujours la réglementation en vigueur et consultez un avocat agréé dans votre juridiction pour obtenir des conseils spécifiques à votre situation. Landager est une plateforme de gestion immobilière, pas un cabinet d'avocats.Informations vérifiées pour la dernière fois le : April 2026.
Indiana is widely considered a landlord-friendly state, with relatively straightforward regulations that give property owners significant flexibility in managing rental properties. Understanding the key statutes under Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31 is essential for running a compliant and successful rental business.
Key Indiana Rental Laws at a Glance
Official Law Citation: The rules and regulations outlined on this page are strictly determined by Indiana Code Title 32, Article 31.
Security Deposits
Indiana does not impose an explicit statutory cap on security deposits, but the standard market practice limits the total of all deposits (security deposit plus any pet deposit) to 1.5 times the monthly rent. Pet deposits are typically limited to 25% of one month's rent.
Landlords must return the deposit - or provide an itemized list of deductions - within 45 days after the tenant moves out and provides a written forwarding address. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and unpaid utility or sewer charges.
For more detail, see our Security Deposits deep dive.
Eviction Procedures Indiana follows a strict court-supervised eviction process. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities) are illegal.
Common Eviction Notices
- 10-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit - for nonpayment of rent
- Notice to Cure or Quit - for lease violations, with a reasonable cure period
- Unconditional Quit Notice - for illegal activity or severe lease breaches
- 30-Day Notice - for terminating month-to-month tenancies
2026 Updates Indiana enacted SEA 142, which addresses the sealing of certain eviction records, and SEA 157, which permits expedited removal of squatters through affidavits.
For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.
Rent Increases Indiana has no statewide rent control - landlords may increase rent by any amount. However, specific notice requirements apply:
- Month-to-month leases: At least 30 days' written notice before any increase
- Fixed-term leases: Rent cannot be raised during the lease term unless the lease specifically allows it; commonly 90 days' notice before renewal
- Increases cannot be discriminatory or retaliatory
For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.
Required Disclosures Indiana landlords must provide several mandatory disclosures:
- Lead-Based Paint - for properties built before 1978 (federal requirement)
- Landlord/Agent Identity - name and address of the person authorized to manage the property and receive notices
- Smoke Detector Acknowledgment - written notice that the unit has working smoke detectors
- Flood Zone Information - disclosure if the property is in a designated flood area
- Bed Bug History - known infestations must be disclosed
- Mold Disclosure - significant mold presence that could pose health risks
- Utility Arrangements - shared utility arrangements must be disclosed
For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.
Maintenance and Habitability Under Indiana's implied warranty of habitability (IC §32-31-8-5), landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that is safe, clean, and fit for human occupancy. This includes:
- Delivering the premises in compliance with health and housing codes
- Maintaining electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
- Ensuring hot and cold running water
- Keeping common areas clean and in proper condition
- Maintaining heating systems that function at all times
- Keeping elevators and any appliances provided as lease inducements in working order
Tenants must provide notice of any noncompliance and allow a reasonable time for repairs before taking legal action.
For more detail, see our Maintenance Obligations guide.
Late Fees Indiana law does not mandate a grace period for rent payments and does not cap late fees. Late fees must be:
- Reasonable in amount
- Clearly stated in the lease agreement
- Not excessive or punitive
A common benchmark is 5-10% of the monthly rent, though the amount should reflect the landlord's actual damages from late payment.
For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.
Lease Requirements Indiana allows both written and oral lease agreements, though written leases are strongly recommended. Key requirements include:
- Leases exceeding three years must be recorded with the county recorder
- Leases longer than 12 months should be in writing for enforceability under the Statute of Frauds
- Month-to-month tenancies require 30-day notice for termination by either party
- Landlords may add new lease terms with 30 days' notice during the tenancy
For more detail, see our Lease Requirements guide.
Local Ordinances Several Indiana cities have additional landlord-tenant regulations:
- Indianapolis - Rental Inspection Program, enhanced code enforcement
- Bloomington - Rental unit registration and inspection requirements
- Fort Wayne - Residential rental licensing program
- South Bend - Rental registration and habitability inspections
Always check local ordinances in addition to state law.
Getting Started with Compliance
Managing compliance across Indiana's regulatory doesn't have to be overwhelming. Landager helps landlords track compliance status, manage lease terms, and stay updated when regulations change.
Explore more Indiana compliance topics:
How Landager Helps
Landager continually tracks lease terms, required compliance items, and strict accounting records - making it easy to stay compliant with Indiana regulations.
📬 Soyez informé lorsque ces lois changent
Nous vous enverrons un e-mail lorsque les lois sur les propriétaires et les locataires seront mises à jour dans Pas de spam — uniquement des changements de loi.
