Indiana eviction rules for tenants

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

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

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.

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).