How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return a Deposit in Indiana?
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. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. The verified penalty formula is 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 under Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15.
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 |
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
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15.
FAQ
Does Indianapolis have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Indiana law and local rules.
What happens if a landlord misses the Indiana deposit deadline?
The verified penalty formula is 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 under Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 45 calendar days (tenant has supplied a written mailing address; clock does not run for landlord liability until address is provided in writing). The deadline trigger is After termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send the letter that starts the clock and keeps the demand tied to the verified Indiana deadline.
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.