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Schererville is a growing suburban community in Lake County, Indiana, located in the northwest corner of the state just south of Chicago. As part of the broader Northwest Indiana metro area, Schererville has seen steady residential development, and a significant portion of its residents rent their homes. Like all Indiana tenants, Schererville renters rely entirely on Indiana state law for housing protections — the town has not enacted any local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what the state provides.
Indiana's landlord-tenant framework, found primarily in Ind. Code Title 32, Articles 31, covers the basics: security deposit handling, habitability obligations, eviction procedures, and anti-retaliation protections. However, Indiana law offers fewer tenant remedies than many other states, making it especially important for Schererville renters to understand exactly what rights they do have and how to assert them effectively.
This page provides a plain-language summary of the tenant rights laws that apply to Schererville renters as of April 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, habitability issue, or deposit dispute, consider contacting a qualified attorney or one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Schererville has no rent control, and Indiana state law prohibits any municipality from creating one. Under Ind. Code § 32-31-1-20, local governments in Indiana — including towns, cities, and counties — are expressly forbidden from enacting ordinances that control or limit the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This statewide preemption applies fully to Schererville and Lake County.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Schererville can raise your rent by any dollar amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper advance notice. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no local board or process to challenge a rent hike. The only protection tenants have is the right to receive proper written notice before an increase takes effect — and to decide whether to accept the new terms or vacate.
If you receive a rent increase notice, review your lease carefully for any provisions that lock in your current rent for a fixed term. Fixed-term leases generally protect you from mid-lease increases unless your lease explicitly allows them. Once the fixed term expires, however, your landlord is free to set a new rent at whatever rate the market allows.
Although Indiana law provides fewer tenant remedies than many states, several important protections do apply to every Schererville renter.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Indiana courts recognize that landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that is safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. If your unit has serious deficiencies — such as a failing heating system, plumbing problems, or structural hazards — you should provide written notice to your landlord describing the issue and requesting repairs. While Indiana does not allow tenants to withhold rent or repair-and-deduct as freely as some states do, documented written notice is essential to any legal remedy and may be required before pursuing other options.
Security Deposit Rules (Ind. Code § 32-31-3-9 through § 32-31-3-19): Landlords must return your security deposit within 45 days after you move out, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit without a valid written explanation, you may sue to recover the amount improperly withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees under Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12.
Notice to Terminate (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1): For month-to-month rental agreements, either party must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. Your landlord cannot simply demand you leave without this notice period. Fixed-term leases end on the date specified in the lease, though some leases automatically convert to month-to-month tenancies upon expiration.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations to a government authority, joining a tenant organization, or otherwise exercising a legal right. Prohibited retaliatory actions include increasing rent, reducing services, or filing an eviction in response to a tenant's protected activity. If you can show that an adverse action followed a protected complaint, Indiana law may provide a defense in an eviction proceeding.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-8): A landlord cannot remove a tenant from a rental unit by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, cutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's personal property. Any eviction must go through the Indiana court system. Self-help eviction is illegal, and a tenant subjected to such conduct may seek relief through the courts.
Indiana law governing security deposits is found in Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-9 through 32-31-3-19, and these rules apply in full to Schererville rentals.
No Statutory Cap: Indiana does not limit how much a landlord may charge for a security deposit. The amount is set by negotiation between the landlord and tenant and should be stated clearly in the lease.
45-Day Return Deadline: After a tenancy ends and the tenant vacates the unit, the landlord has 45 days to return the security deposit (Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12). If the landlord withholds any portion, they must provide a written itemized statement explaining each deduction. This statement and any remaining balance must be mailed or delivered to the tenant's last known address within that 45-day window.
Valid Deductions: Landlords may deduct from the deposit for unpaid rent, damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges specifically identified in the lease. They cannot deduct for routine cleaning or maintenance that falls within normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord fails to return your deposit within 45 days or retains funds without providing a proper itemized statement, you have the right to sue in small claims court to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees (Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12). To protect your rights, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written records, and provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
Indiana eviction law, codified at Ind. Code §§ 32-31-1-1 through 32-31-6-8, sets out the process landlords must follow to remove a tenant in Schererville. Landlords must go through the courts — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must give the tenant a written notice appropriate to the situation. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide a written notice giving the tenant 10 days to pay rent or vacate (commonly called a 'Pay or Quit' notice). For other lease violations, the notice period and terms depend on the specific violation and what the lease states. For termination of a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required under Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1.
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint (called a 'Complaint for Possession') in the Lake County courts. In Schererville, cases are generally heard in Lake County Small Claims or Superior Court depending on the amount in dispute.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The tenant will receive a summons with a hearing date. Tenants have the right to appear and present a defense. Common defenses include payment of rent, improper notice, landlord retaliation (Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6), or failure to maintain habitability. Tenants who do not appear risk a default judgment being entered against them.
Step 4 — Judgment and Enforcement: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue an order for possession. Only after this court order may the landlord, with the assistance of a court officer, remove the tenant and their belongings. No landlord may enforce an eviction on their own.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under Ind. Code § 32-31-1-8, a landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or takes any other action to force a tenant out without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction. If this happens to you, contact law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
No Just Cause Requirement: Indiana does not require landlords to have a specific reason to decline to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. However, a landlord cannot terminate a tenancy in retaliation for a tenant exercising protected rights (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 are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe makes no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of this information. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, habitability problems, or any other housing legal matter, you should consult a qualified attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. Do not rely solely on this page to make decisions about your tenancy.
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