Indiana · IN

Demand letters in Indiana.

In Indiana, landlords must return a deposit within 45 days, and the Small Claims Court (or township Small Claims Court) hears claims up to $10,000 (Marion County township courts: $8,000). Here's the law you need — and a generator that cites it for you.

By The Demand Letter Kit Team Sourced from official statutesUpdated June 1, 2026

Indiana demand letter facts at a glance

Deposit return deadline

45 days

Small claims limit

$10,000 (Marion County township courts: $8,000)

Filing fee

About $97–$130

Written-contract SOL

10 years

Personal-injury SOL

2 years

Legal/judgment interest

8% per year (post-judgment) where no contract rate applies.

Security deposit demand letters in Indiana

If your former landlord is holding your deposit, Indiana law is on your side. A landlord must return your security deposit within 45 days, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Failing to itemize within 45 days forfeits the right to deduct; the landlord then owes the full deposit plus attorney’s fees.

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Statutes of limitation in Indiana

A demand letter doesn't pause the clock — you must file suit within these windows:

Written contracts 10 years
Oral contracts 6 years
Personal injury 2 years
Property damage 2 years

Small claims court in Indiana

If your demand letter is ignored, Indiana's Small Claims Court (or township Small Claims Court) is usually the next step. It hears claims up to $10,000 (Marion County township courts: $8,000), with filing fees around About $97–$130. You typically don't need a lawyer, and mentioning that you're prepared to file gives your letter real weight.

Indiana courts self-help

Good to know in Indiana

Indiana gives landlords 45 days to return the deposit with an itemized list of damages; if they miss that window, they lose the right to deduct anything and owe the full deposit plus attorney’s fees, which is the key leverage point in a demand letter. The small claims limit is $10,000 (slightly lower in some Marion County township courts). Indiana recognizes a long 10-year statute of limitations on written contracts, so unpaid written debts have an unusually long enforcement runway.

Indiana demand letter FAQ

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Indiana?
In Indiana, a landlord generally must return your security deposit within 45 days. Failing to itemize within 45 days forfeits the right to deduct; the landlord then owes the full deposit plus attorney’s fees. The governing statute is Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12 to § 32-31-3-14.
What is the small claims court limit in Indiana?
Indiana's Small Claims Court (or township Small Claims Court) hears claims up to $10,000 (Marion County township courts: $8,000), with filing fees of roughly About $97–$130. Most demand-letter disputes fall within this limit, which is what makes a demand letter such effective leverage.
How long do I have to sue in Indiana?
Indiana's statute of limitations is 10 years for written contracts, 6 years for oral contracts, 2 years for personal injury, and 2 years for property damage. Sending a demand letter does not pause these deadlines, so don't wait too long.
Do I have to send a demand letter before filing in Indiana?
Indiana does not always require a demand letter before suing, but sending one is strongly recommended: many courts expect it, it can resolve the dispute without filing, and it documents that you tried to settle in good faith — which helps your case if you do end up in Small Claims Court (or township Small Claims Court).

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