Landlord repairs in Indiana

The landlord must deliver the rental in a safe, clean and habitable condition, comply with all applicable health and housing codes, make reasonable efforts to keep common areas clean and proper, and keep systems and appliances provided at lease signing in good and safe working condition (IC 32-31-8-5). A waiver of these duties is void (IC 32-31-8-4). (Ind. Code §§ 32-31-8-4, 32-31-8-5)

Indiana law names these:

• safe, clean and habitable premises at delivery
• compliance with health and housing codes
• clean and proper common areas (reasonable efforts)
• electrical systems (if provided at signing)
• plumbing with a reasonable supply of hot and cold running water at all times (if provided)
• sanitary systems (if provided)
• heating, ventilating and air conditioning, with heat adequate at all times (if provided)
• elevators (if provided)
• appliances supplied as an inducement to rent
• a functional smoke detector at delivery, acknowledged in writing by the tenant (IC 32-31-5-7)

Before suing, the tenant must give the landlord notice of the noncompliance, give a reasonable time to repair, and not block the landlord's access to make repairs (IC 32-31-8-6(b)). The statute does not say the notice must be written; Indiana Legal Services advises putting it in writing, dating it, and keeping a copy. Written complaints to the landlord about IC 32-31-8-5 violations are protected from retaliation (IC 32-31-8.5-2(2)). (Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6(b))

The landlord must be given 'a reasonable amount of time' after notice to repair; no number of days is set. The landlord's liability for damages starts when it has notice or actual knowledge and refuses to fix, or fails to fix within a reasonable time, whichever comes first (IC 32-31-8-6(b), (e)).

Law: Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6(b), (e)

Not addressed by state law. Indiana's statute provides no repair-and-deduct remedy; the remedy for an unfixed condition is a lawsuit (IC 32-31-8-6). Indiana Legal Services tells tenants not to withhold rent.

Law:

Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6

Not allowed. Indiana Legal Services states tenants may NOT withhold rent if the landlord does not make a repair; a tenant who stops paying and stays can be evicted for nonpayment. No statute authorizes withholding.

Law:

Indiana Legal Services, Indiana Renters' Rights & Responsibilities

Not addressed by state law. No Indiana statute lets a tenant end the lease because of unrepaired conditions; the statutory remedy is a court action (IC 32-31-8-6(d)), where the court may order 'any other remedy appropriate under the circumstances'.

Law:

Ind. Code § 32-31-8-6(d)

After notice, a reasonable time, and the landlord's failure to fix, the tenant may sue and, if successful, recover actual and consequential damages, attorney's fees and court costs, injunctive relief, or any other appropriate remedy (IC 32-31-8-6(d)). A landlord may not shut off or interrupt electricity, gas, water or other essential services (except for emergencies, good-faith repairs or construction) or lock the tenant out (IC 32-31-5-6); the tenant may petition for an emergency possessory order, with a hearing within 3 business days (IC 32-31-6-3, -5).

A landlord may not raise rent, cut or interfere with services, or bring or threaten an eviction or early termination because the tenant complained to a code-enforcement agency about a health or safety violation, complained in writing to the landlord about violations of IC 32-31-8-5 or IC 32-31-5-6, sued under IC 32-31-6 or 32-31-8, joined a tenant organization, or testified against the landlord. The landlord may still decline to renew at the end of the term, raise rent to market, cut services for all tenants equally, or evict for unpaid rent, tenant-caused violations, health/safety lease violations, holdover, or good-faith owner move-in, remodeling or removal from the rental market. No presumption period. Cities and counties may not regulate retaliation (IC 32-31-8.5-6). (Ind. Code §§ 32-31-8.5-2, -4, -5, -6)

Indiana Legal Services says that to complain about a rental's conditions, tenants should contact their local health department.

• Local governments may not adopt or enforce ordinances on landlord retaliation (IC 32-31-8.5-6).
• Landlords and tenants may not waive the smoke detector requirements of IC 22-11-18-3.5 (IC 32-31-5-7(b)); the tenant must keep smoke detectors working and replace batteries (Indiana Legal Services).
• The tenant may not unreasonably refuse the landlord entry to make repairs; the landlord must give reasonable notice and enter at reasonable times (IC 32-31-5-6(e), (g)).

• Indiana repair request letter (free, runs in your browser)
• Breaking a lease in Indiana: notice periods and early-termination rights
• Indiana eviction notice rules: what a notice for unpaid rent requires

• Indiana Code 2026, Title 32 (IC 32-31-5-6, 32-31-6, 32-31-8, 32-31-8.5) Retrieved October 14, 2026.
• Indiana Legal Services, Indiana Renters' Rights & Responsibilities Retrieved October 14, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 14, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; before withholding rent or ending a lease, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.