Indiana Security Deposit Law: How Many Days and What to Do
In Indiana, a landlord has 45 calendar days (tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing) to return a security deposit. Use the dates below to calculate your deadline (Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15).
Last checked 2026-07-14
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing | 45 days | after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession |
Indiana return rule: 45 calendar days (tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing). Check the dates you entered above.
Key facts
| Deadline | 45 calendar days (tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing) |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession |
| Penalty formula | tenant may recover all of the security deposit due plus reasonable attorney's fees; failure to provide timely itemization is treated as agreement that no damages are due and full deposit must be remitted |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Statute citation | Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15 |
How does Indiana's deadline compare with other states?
Indiana's return deadline is 45 days. The middle of the comparable state deadlines is ≈30 days. Use the dates and questions above to see which deadline applies to you.
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Indiana | 45 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
See all 51 jurisdictions
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10 days |
| Alaska | 14 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Kansas | 14 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| New York | 14 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| California | 21 days |
| Connecticut | 21 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days |
| South Dakota | 21 days |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
| Washington | 30 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Alabama | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 60 days |
| West Virginia | 60 days |
| Kentucky | No fixed return deadline |
| Tennessee | No fixed return deadline |
Source: state statute records · checked 2026-07-14 · n=48 fixed rules among 51 jurisdictions · method: first listed return deadline; calendar months plotted as ≈30 days · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
tenant may recover all of the security deposit due plus reasonable attorney's fees; failure to provide timely itemization is treated as agreement that no damages are due and full deposit must be remitted The statutory amount depends on the facts and any conditions in Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15; it is separate from the deposit owed.
Indiana is one of 10 states where the law names another remedy, such as forfeiture, fees, or damages.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The law sets a multiple of the deposit | 36 | 71% |
| The law names another remedy (forfeiture, fees, damages) ← Indiana | 10 | 20% |
| Read the cited remedy; no multiple is set | 5 | 10% |
Source: Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15 · checked 2026-07-14 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What do you have to do before you can claim the penalty?
Send the required information to start the clock.
- Supply a mailing address in writing; the landlord is not liable until then. Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15
Does the deadline move if it falls on a weekend or holiday?
Indiana law does not clearly say whether a deposit deadline moves when it falls on a weekend or holiday.
To be safe: if the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, treat the deadline as passed only after the next business day. Example: October 10, 2026 is a Saturday, so wait until October 12, 2026 before saying the deadline has passed.
What Indiana law requires of the landlord
The deposit return rule is 45 calendar days (tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing). The law also requires an itemized statement when deductions are made.
- Return window
- 45 calendar days (tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing)
- Itemization
- Required
- Receipts threshold
- No separate threshold recorded
- Interest
Is interest owed on a deposit in Indiana?
Indiana is one of 37 states where interest is not required by state law.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Required by state law | 3 | 6% |
| Owed only in some cases | 11 | 22% |
| Not required by state law ← Indiana | 37 | 73% |
Source: Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15 · checked 2026-07-14 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
Indiana security deposit deductions
FAQ
How do I confirm the Indiana deadline?
Use the questions above to match your dates to Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15, and keep proof of each date.
What is the small claims limit in Indiana?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Indiana court guide
City data on this page currently includes Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Carmel, Fishers.
Statute text, sources and changes
Statute says
Upon termination of a rental agreement, a landlord shall return to the tenant the security deposit minus any amount applied to: (1) the payment of accrued rent; (2) the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered or will reasonably suffer by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with law or the rental agreement; and (3) unpaid utility or sewer charges that the tenant is obligated to pay under the rental agreement; all as itemized by the landlord with the amount due in a written notice that is delivered to the tenant not more than forty-five (45) days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. The landlord is not liable under this chapter until the tenant supplies the landlord in writing with a mailing address to which to deliver the notice and amount prescribed by this subsection.
What this means
Sources
- https://iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/32#32-31-3-12 · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-31/chapter-3/section-32-31-3-12/ · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.indianalegalservices.org/security-deposits/ · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.in.gov/courts/publications/small-claims-manual/ · accessed 2026-07-14
Changes
- : Record verified against the cited statute.
Verified 2026-07-14 · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6