Indiana security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Indiana: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 45 days under Indiana law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

See what you're owed — free →Start my case
Statutes verified against official sources
USPS Certified Mail with return receipt
Every letter reviewed before it mails

Indiana security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

45 days

Statute

Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12 (return, deadline, written-address precondition); § 32-31-3-14 to -16 (damage list, forfeiture, remedy)

The landlord must return the deposit minus lawful deductions, itemized with the amount due in a written notice delivered not more than 45 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession (§ 32-31-3-12(a)); a parallel 45-day duty requires mailing an itemized damage list (with estimated repair cost per item) plus a check for the balance (§ 32-31-3-14). CRITICAL CONDITION: the landlord has NO liability under the chapter until the tenant supplies a WRITTEN mailing address for delivery of the notice and refund — a demand letter should supply that address explicitly. Failure to give the § 14 damage notice within 45 days is deemed agreement that no damages are due and requires immediate remittance of the FULL deposit (§ 32-31-3-15). Waivers of the chapter are void. No statutory cap on deposit amount.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Indiana?

Allowed

  • ✓Accrued rent, rent in arrearage, and rent due for premature termination by the tenant
  • ✓Actual damages to the rental unit or ancillary facility not resulting from ordinary wear and tear
  • ✓Unpaid utility or sewer charges the tenant owes under the rental agreement

Not allowed

  • ✗Ordinary wear and tear
  • ✗Applying the deposit to rent, unless a written agreement stipulates it may serve as last month's rent

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Indiana?

NO damages multiplier exists — anyone asserting a 2x or 3x figure for Indiana is wrong. The remedy is recovery of all of the deposit due plus reasonable attorney's fees (§ 32-31-3-12(b)); for §§ 14–15 violations, the amount withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (§ 32-31-3-16).

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12 (return, deadline, written-address precondition); § 32-31-3-14 to -16 (damage list, forfeiture, remedy) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

Recover $35 · Dispute $49 — one flat fee, no subscription.

See what your landlord can legally keep →

Indiana tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Indiana's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.

Pay once. We handle the rest.

Both tiers include the letter, the certified mailing, the tracking, and the follow-up. No subscription, no recurring anything — one case, one price.

You pay onceWe prepare & review your letterUSPS Certified to your landlordYou track it to their door
Most tenants choose this

Recover

$35one time — no subscription

We prepare it and mail it for you.

  • Demand letter citing your state statute, deadline, and penalty
  • Mailed to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt
  • USPS tracking number on your case page
  • Delivery confirmation the moment your landlord receives it
  • Day-7 and day-14 follow-up with your next steps
Start for $35

Dispute

$49one time — no subscription

We prepare, mail, and respond.

  • Everything in Recover
  • Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
  • Attorney referral if unresolved after 21 days
  • Priority review — your letter goes out first
Start for $49
See the full deposit demand letter guide →

What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.