Indiana Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Indiana has no rent control anywhere in the state — it's prohibited by state law. Landlords can raise rent by any amount. Indiana's landlord-tenant law is relatively limited on tenant remedies, but protections on deposits and eviction do exist.

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Indiana at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Indiana state law prohibits local governments from enacting rent control ordinances (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-20).

What Protections Indiana Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Indiana law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

Landlords must return your deposit within 45 days of move-out with an itemized statement. If they keep any amount without justification, you may sue to recover the amount withheld plus attorney's fees (Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12).

Notice to Terminate

Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-1).

Habitability

Indiana recognizes an implied warranty of habitability. If your unit has serious habitability issues, written notice to the landlord triggers a repair obligation. However, Indiana's tenant remedies for non-compliance are less robust than many states.

Retaliation Protection

Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights by raising rent or initiating eviction (Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6).

Eviction Process

Landlords must provide written notice and obtain a court order to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — changing locks or removing property — is illegal (Ind. Code § 32-31-1-8).

Major Cities in Indiana

Indianapolis — No rent control; Indiana state preemption prohibits it.
Fort Wayne — No rent control; Indiana state preemption prohibits it.
Evansville — No rent control; Indiana state preemption prohibits it.
South Bend — No rent control; Indiana state preemption prohibits it.

Indiana Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Indiana renters:

Indiana Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for low-income Hoosiers statewide, including eviction defense and housing cases.
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic – Indianapolis — Free legal help for Indianapolis-area renters facing eviction or housing issues.
Indiana Attorney General – Landlord-Tenant — State guidance and complaint resources for Indiana renters.

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