State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Indiana landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Indiana's landlord and tenant article says nothing on late fees or the amount of a deposit. It is specific about when a deposit must come back and what the deductions must show. Here is what Title 32, article 31 of the Indiana Code says, with the section for each rule.

Late fees in Indiana

Limit

None in the statute. Local governments may not regulate any fees charged by a landlord. Ind. Code art. 32-31; § 32-31-1-20(c)(7)

Grace period

None in the statute. Ind. Code art. 32-31

Other conditions

None in the statute. Ind. Code art. 32-31

Security deposits in Indiana

Maximum deposit

The statute sets no limit. Ind. Code ch. 32-31-3

Return deadline

45 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant delivers possession. The landlord is not liable until the tenant gives a written mailing address. Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12(a)

Itemized deductions

Required. Mail an itemized list of damages within 45 days after the tenancy ends. The list must give the estimated cost of repair for each damaged item. If the landlord doesn't send it, the landlord is treated as agreeing that no damages are due. Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-14, 32-31-3-15

Interest

The statute doesn't require it. Ind. Code ch. 32-31-3

How it's held

No special account or bond in the statute. Ind. Code ch. 32-31-3

Penalty

The part of the deposit wrongly withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. If the landlord misses the notice deadline, the tenant may recover all of the deposit due. The statute sets no double or triple damages. Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12(b), 32-31-3-16

Rent increases in Indiana

Notice to raise rent

No statute sets a notice period for a rent increase. The closest rule covers ending a tenancy at will: one month's notice in writing, delivered to the tenant. Check your lease for its own notice term. Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1(a)

Statewide cap

None in the statute. Ind. Code art. 32-31

City rent control

Not allowed. A local unit may not regulate rental rates for privately owned real property, through a zoning ordinance or otherwise. An ordinance that does is void and unenforceable. Ind. Code § 32-31-1-20(b), (c)

This page covers Indiana state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones. The Indiana General Assembly publishes Title 32 as one file, so the links on this page go to that file rather than to a page for each section. Search it for the section number shown.

Questions landlords ask

Free templates you can use in Indiana

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

• Rent increase letter kit: increase notice, renewal offer, pricing worksheet and delivery log.
• Late rent notice kit: friendly reminder, past-due notice, payment plan and delivery log.
• Security deposit return kit: itemized return letter, wear-and-tear guide and move-out checklist.
• Move-in kit: inspection checklist and deposit receipt, signed by the tenant.
• Rent ledger: running tenant balances and printable statements.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (Indiana Code, Title 32, article 31) or talk to a local attorney before you act.