Key Takeaways
- Lease or rental agreements are instrumental in outlining key elements of an arrangement when leasing or renting your property in Indiana.
- These contracts vary depending on the type of lease, its duration, and the property involved, each carrying its legal implications.
- Predefined templates provide structured formats catering to your leasing situation, eliminating the need for extensive modifications.
- Selecting a template tailored to Indiana’s laws ensures a clear understanding and legal safeguard for landlords and tenants within the state.
- PandaDoc provides clarity and legal security, offering complimentary templates for Indiana Lease Agreement Templates to create detailed contracts.
Indiana Lease Agreement Templates
Residential Lease Agreement
Residential Rental Agreement
Used 5,261 times
Save time and resources by using this customizable residential rental agreement to create legally binding contracts with your tenants. It includes detailed sections about all aspects of a typical tenancy, including terms, responsibilities, rent, duration, insurance, maintenance, and more.
This agreement is tailored for residential rental properties in Indiana, providing a comprehensive framework for landlords and tenants to establish their rights and obligations in accordance with state laws.
Indiana Apartment Lease
Specifically crafted for apartment rentals in Indiana, this lease agreement addresses the unique considerations of multi-unit housing, covering aspects such as amenities, parking, and tenant conduct within the building.
Indiana Room Rental
Designed for renting out individual rooms within a property, this template helps landlords and tenants in Indiana establish clear guidelines for shared living spaces, including rules regarding common areas and utilities.
Indiana Month-to-Month Lease
Offering flexibility without the commitment of a long-term lease, this agreement allows for short-term rental arrangements in Indiana, providing landlords and tenants with the freedom to adjust rental terms as needed.
Commercial Lease Agreement
This agreement is tailored for leasing commercial properties in Indiana, covering essential aspects such as rent, maintenance responsibilities, and permitted land use, ensuring a clear understanding between landlords and tenants for business purposes.
Lease to Purchase Agreement
Providing a structured framework for lease-to-own arrangements, this agreement allows tenants in Indiana the option to purchase the property at a later date while providing landlords with stable rental income and potential future sale.
Sublease Agreement
Facilitating subleasing arrangements, this template clarifies the responsibilities of the original tenant (sublessor) and the subtenant (sublessee) in Indiana.
Understanding Indiana Rental Laws
Indiana’s rental laws have unique stipulations for Indiana Lease Agreement Templates. The law mandates that leases exceeding three (3) years must be documented in writing. A written lease is recommended because it provides physical proof of the agreement made between the landlord and tenant regarding the lease terms. The clauses mentioned here are referenced from the Indiana Code (Title 32, Article 31).
Laws | Name | Description |
Article 31 Chapter 1 | General Provisions | Encompassing crucial aspects such as proposal and acceptance, the exchange of value (consideration), and the legal capacity of involved parties to form contracts. |
Article 31 Chapter 3 | Security deposits | Indiana rental laws govern the management and refund of security deposits, specifying permissible maximum amounts and detailing itemized deductions. |
Article 31, Chapter 9 | Tenant protection | Establishes rights and provides tenant protections related to certain crimes. |
Article 31 Chapter 5 | Landlord’s right of entry | It outlines the circumstances in which landlords can access rental units, safeguarding tenants’ privacy rights. |
Security Deposit limits
- Limit: Indiana law doesn’t set a specific cap on the security deposit, but it should be reasonable, considering factors such as the monthly rent.
- Returning: Landlords must refund the deposit within 45 days after the tenant vacates, with a detailed list of any deductions.
- Interest on Deposits: Under Indiana’s laws, landlords aren’t required to pay interest on security deposits.
- Withholding the Deposit: Indiana’s laws allow landlords to deduct unpaid rent, damages exceeding normal wear and tear, and other specified costs from the security deposit.
- Written Rental Agreement: It’s crucial to have a written rental agreement that lays down the terms and conditions of the security deposit, as per Indiana’s laws.
Eviction Procedures
In Indiana, it’s unlawful for a landlord to evict a tenant without a valid reason. The following are legitimate reasons for eviction:
- Failure to pay rent punctually
- Occupying the property beyond the lease period
- Breaching the terms of the lease
- Engaging in illegal activities
Depending on the reason for eviction, the landlord is required to issue an appropriate notice and allow the tenant an opportunity to rectify the violation.
Reason for Eviction | Notice Duration | Possibility of Rectification |
Rent not paid | 10 Days | Yes |
Lease expired or no lease | 30 Days | No |
Breach of lease terms | Reasonable | Yes |
Involvement in unlawful activities | 45 Days | No |
Right to Enter (Landlord)
Justifiable Grounds for Entry:
- Inspections
- Enhancements (including decoration)
- Maintenance
- Property Showings
- Emergencies
Notice Requirement:
- Typically, 24 Hours, either Written or Verbal
- No Notice Required for Emergencies
Consequences for Unlawful Entry:
- Court Injunction
- Compensation for Damages
- Termination of the Lease
- Court and Legal Fees
Disclosures
- Landlord’s Contact Details: Applicable to all units.
- Flood Risk: Relevant to units at or below the 100-year flood elevation.
- Lead Paint: Pertains to all units constructed prior to 1978.
Optional Disclosures:
- Asbestos: Alerts tenants to potential asbestos hazards in the property. Tenants can minimize asbestos risks by avoiding any disruption of asbestos fibers.
- Bed Bugs: Notifies tenants if the property or an adjoining unit has a history of suspected bed bug infestation and reminds the tenant to report suspected infestation promptly.
- Late/Returned Check Fees: This section outlines late or returned check fees associated with the lease. Indiana does not limit late fees and caps returned check fees at $25.
- Medical Marijuana Use: Informs tenants about the policy related to medical marijuana use on the rental property. Some state laws permit landlords to restrict marijuana usage to non-smoking methods only or allow use only in designated smoking areas.
- Mold Disclosure: Informs tenants about actual or suspected mold contamination on the property and any remediation efforts to help limit landlord liability.
- Move-In Checklist: When the tenant moves into a rental property, an inventory of any property damage is taken. Accurate deductions from the security deposit at the time of move-out are made possible.
- Non-Refundable Fees: Charges not agreed to by the tenant in the lease may be refundable upon lease termination. Indiana landlords must disclose and decide to charge a non-refundable fee in the lease.
- Shared Utilities Arrangements: This arrangement discloses how charges are billed to individual tenants when multiple rental units share a utility meter for the whole building or property. Tenants are guaranteed to be charged fairly and clearly understand the specific factors contributing to their bill.
- Smoking: Tenants are notified about smoking areas that are specifically designated and don’t disturb other tenants’ peaceful living.