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Greensburg is the county seat of Decatur County in southeastern Indiana, a small city of roughly 12,000 residents where the rental market is shaped almost entirely by Indiana state law. Like all Indiana communities, Greensburg has no local rent control ordinance and no city-specific tenant protection laws beyond what the state provides. Renters here most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, eviction notice requirements, and their right to a habitable home.
Indiana's landlord-tenant framework is governed primarily by the Indiana Code, which establishes baseline protections on security deposits (Ind. Code § 32-31-3), habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process. While these protections are less expansive than those found in some other states, they are legally enforceable and give Greensburg tenants meaningful rights. Understanding exactly what the law requires — and what it does not — is essential for anyone renting in Decatur County.
This page summarizes Indiana tenant rights as they apply to Greensburg renters. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Indiana attorney or contact a legal aid organization.
Greensburg has no rent control, and Indiana law prohibits any local government from enacting one. Under Ind. Code § 32-31-1-20, units of local government — including cities and counties — are expressly forbidden from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, or policy that controls or limits the amount of rent a landlord may charge for private residential property. This statewide preemption means the Greensburg City Council and Decatur County government cannot pass rent stabilization measures of any kind.
In practical terms, a landlord in Greensburg may raise your rent by any dollar amount, at any time, as long as they provide the notice required to terminate the existing tenancy before the new rate takes effect. For a month-to-month tenant, that means at least 30 days' written notice (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1). For a fixed-term lease, rent cannot change until the lease expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases. There is no state agency or city office that reviews, approves, or caps rent increases for private rental housing in Indiana.
Although Indiana does not have rent control, state law provides Greensburg tenants with several important protections:
Security Deposits (Ind. Code § 32-31-3): Indiana law governs how landlords must handle security deposits. Landlords must return your deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 45 days after you vacate the unit. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and certain cleaning costs. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit without a valid itemized statement, the tenant may sue to recover the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees under Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Indiana courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability, requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes functioning heat, water, and structural integrity. If serious habitability defects exist, a tenant should provide the landlord written notice of the condition and a reasonable opportunity to repair. Indiana's statutory tenant remedies for landlord non-compliance are more limited than many states — tenants generally cannot unilaterally withhold rent without court involvement — so consulting legal aid is advisable before taking action.
Notice to Terminate (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. The notice period for a fixed-term lease is governed by the lease agreement itself. Tenants wishing to vacate a month-to-month tenancy must also provide 30 days' written notice to the landlord.
Anti-Retaliation (Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6): Landlords in Indiana are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, complain about habitability conditions, or exercise any other legal tenant rights. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, lease terminations, reductions in services, and harassment. A tenant who can demonstrate retaliation has a defense against eviction and may pursue damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-8): A landlord may not remove a tenant from a rental unit through self-help methods. Changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or intentionally shutting off utilities to force a tenant out are illegal under Indiana law. Landlords must obtain a court order through the formal eviction process before a tenant can be removed.
Indiana's security deposit rules — found at Ind. Code § 32-31-3-1 through § 32-31-3-19 — apply in full to Greensburg rentals. Here is what tenants need to know:
No Statutory Cap: Indiana law does not limit the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit. The amount is set by the lease agreement. Always get the deposit amount in writing before signing.
45-Day Return Deadline (Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12): After you vacate the unit and return possession to the landlord, the landlord has 45 days to either return your full deposit or mail you a written itemized statement listing each deduction and the specific dollar amount, along with any remaining balance. The statement and any refund check must be sent to your forwarding address.
Allowable Deductions: Under Ind. Code § 32-31-3-9, a landlord may deduct from the deposit for: (1) unpaid rent; (2) damage to the unit beyond ordinary wear and tear; (3) reasonable costs of cleaning if the tenant left the unit less clean than when received; and (4) other amounts owed under the lease. Normal wear and tear — such as minor scuffs on walls or carpet wear from regular use — cannot be deducted.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding (Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12): If the landlord fails to provide the required itemized statement within 45 days, or retains amounts without valid justification, the tenant may bring a civil action to recover the improperly withheld amount plus the landlord's reasonable attorney's fees. To protect yourself, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs, and always provide a written forwarding address to your landlord upon vacating.
In Greensburg, as throughout Indiana, a landlord must follow a court-supervised process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under Ind. Code § 32-31-1-8 and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, Indiana law requires a 10-day notice to pay or vacate (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-6). For other lease violations, a reasonable notice and opportunity to cure is required (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-6). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1). At the end of a fixed-term lease, no additional notice is required unless the lease provides otherwise.
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) complaint with the Decatur Circuit Court or Decatur Superior Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant may present evidence at the hearing. Tenants have the right to appear, respond to the complaint, and raise defenses — including retaliation (Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6) or the landlord's failure to maintain habitability. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Assistance: If the tenant still does not vacate after judgment, the landlord may request a writ of assistance, authorizing the Decatur County Sheriff to remove the tenant. Only a court officer — not the landlord — may physically remove a tenant.
Just Cause: Indiana does not require landlords to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or to decline to renew a lease. However, evicting or threatening eviction in retaliation for a tenant's protected activity is prohibited under Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a dispute with your landlord or need guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a licensed Indiana attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently, as laws may have been amended after the last update to this page.
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