Can't Pay Rent in Indiana: What Are My Options?
This page covers talking to your landlord, late fees, late payments and the notice a landlord gives when rent is not paid. It is for renters in Indiana.
-
Talk to your landlord as soon as you know you cannot pay on time. Ask for a payment plan. Get any agreement in writing and keep copies of texts, emails and receipts.
-
An Indiana landlord may charge a reasonable fee for late rent only if the fee was agreed to in writing. Read your lease to see if it lists a late fee.
RenterLaw editorial Indiana Supreme Court, Office of Court Services (Small Claims Manual, updated 12/23/2025) Landlord-tenant item 5✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
Say your Indiana landlord has accepted your late rent in the past. The landlord must then give you reasonable notice, best in writing, that late payments will no longer be accepted. After that notice, a late payment counts as a breach (a broken lease term).
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
In 2024, the Indiana Court of Appeals quoted this law. If a tenant does not pay rent when due, a landlord may end the lease with at least 10 days notice. The law does not apply if you and the landlord agreed otherwise. It does not apply if you pay the rent in full before the notice period ends.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
In a 2024 Indiana case, the lease gave a 5-day grace period (a set number of days to pay after the due date). The lease also said it served as notice to leave. The Court of Appeals held the landlord did not need to give the 10 days notice. Read your lease for any grace period.
RenterLaw editorial Indiana Court of Appeals, Walking With Jesus Ministries v. Alexander, 24A-EV-419 (2024) Opinion para. 8✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
In 2024, the Indiana Court of Appeals quoted a law on when a landlord needs no notice to end a lease. The court quoted it this way. Notice is not required when the lease terms require you to pay rent in advance, and you do not pay it in advance.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.