Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Indianapolis, Indiana.
Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.
Sources last checked July 2026
Indianapolis adds real tenant protection beyond Indiana's baseline law: under Indianapolis-Marion County Code § 582-105, an eviction filed within 60 days of a tenant contacting the city's Tenant Information Hotline or a similar protected activity triggers a rebuttable presumption of illegal retaliation, with civil penalties of $2,500 for a first violation and $7,500 after. Landlords must also give every tenant a city-issued Notice of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities. Indiana's statewide ban on local rent control leaves Indianapolis without authority to cap rent increases.
Before filing for eviction based on non-payment of rent, an Indianapolis landlord must serve a written notice giving the tenant at least 10 days to pay all past-due rent or vacate. If the tenant pays the full amount owed within the 10-day window, the landlord may not proceed with eviction. This applies to all residential tenancies in Indianapolis and Marion County.
Under Indianapolis-Marion County Code Chapter 582, an eviction filed within 60 days of a tenant exercising protected rights triggers a rebuttable presumption of illegal retaliation. Protected activities include: contacting the city Tenant Information Hotline, seeking legal or non-legal assistance regarding tenant rights, reporting violations to the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, requesting health or housing inspections, or communicating with the Indianapolis Landlord Registry. First violation: $2,500 civil penalty; subsequent violations: $7,500 each. Landlords must also provide all tenants with the city-issued Notice of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities at lease signing.
Indianapolis follows Indiana state law for lease termination. Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month (at-will) tenancy by delivering at least one month's written notice to the other party. Notice must be in writing and may be served in person, on a resident of the premises, or posted conspicuously if no one is present.
A year-to-year tenancy in Indianapolis may be terminated by either the landlord or tenant by providing at least three months (90 days) written notice before the expiration of the current lease year. Notice must be given before the final 3 months of the lease term to be effective at year-end.
Indianapolis has no rent control or rent increase cap. Indiana state law (IC 32-31-1-20) explicitly prohibits any local unit of government — including Indianapolis-Marion County — from regulating rental rates for privately owned property unless authorized by the General Assembly. Any local ordinance attempting to cap rents would be void and unenforceable. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
Indianapolis follows Indiana state law requiring landlords to give at least 30 days written notice before modifying a month-to-month rental agreement, including any rent increase. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be raised during the lease term unless the lease expressly permits it. There is no city-specific notice period; the statewide 30-day minimum governs.
Indianapolis follows Indiana state law on security deposits. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge. Upon termination, the landlord must return the deposit minus allowable deductions (unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utility charges) with an itemized written notice within 45 days of termination and delivery of possession. Failure to comply voids the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit and may entitle the tenant to recover the full deposit plus attorney fees.
Trenly tracks the notices, deadlines, and rule changes behind these laws — so you don't have to watch every statute yourself.