Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Indiana

rental leasing

On 9 dec 2006 i was served with papers to appear in court 9 jan 2007 the plaintiff being my landlord file to have me evicted for non payment of rent.At the jan 9th 2007 court date i request 1 week from that date to vacate the apt and return it to rentable condition as per the judge.The second hearing is to acces damages can my security deposit be used for payments of the back rent in dispute.I have receipts and document showing that i do not owe


Asked on 1/21/07, 8:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Samuel Hasler Samuel Hasler

Re: rental leasing

While I have to wonder if you do not owe any rent why you got evicted, that really is not the point to your question.

Yes, the security deposit can be applied to rent.

IC 32-31-3-12

Return of deposits; deductions; liability

Sec. 12. (a) 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. Unless otherwise agreed, a tenant is not entitled to apply a security deposit to rent.

(b) If a landlord fails to comply with subsection (a), a tenant may recover all of the security deposit due the tenant and reasonable attorney's fees.

(c) This section does not preclude the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages to which either is entitled.

(d) The owner of the dwelling unit at the time of the termination of the rental agreement is bound by this section.

As added by P.L.2-2002, SEC.16.

You do need to make sure that you have your receipts and all when you go back to court.

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Answered on 1/23/07, 9:15 am


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