Housing Laws

You can get your landlord to change the locks to your rental unit if you are a protected individual under Indiana law and you do both of the following things:

1. make a request in writing to your landlord that your locks be changed; and
2. give the landlord a copy of either a civil order for protection ordering the abuser not to contact you or a criminal no contact order.¹

If the abuser does not live in your rental unit, the landlord has 48 hours to change your locks and give you a new key.² 

If the abuser does live in your rental unit, the landlord has 24 hours to change your locks and give you a new key. The landlord cannot give the abuser access to your rental unit unless your court order specifically allows the abuser to get his/her personal property. Also, removing the abuser from the residence does not change the terms of the lease. If the abuser is listed as a tenant on the lease, s/he would still legally be responsible for rent and for damages to the unit.³

If the landlord changes the locks, you are responsible for the actual costs of installing the new lock, and the landlord may keep a key.

If the landlord does not change the locks within the required time period as explained above, you may change the locks yourself. Be sure to get receipts for the locks and the cost of installation since the landlord must pay you back the actual amount you spent. You must give your landlord a new key within 24 hours of the time you change the locks.⁴

¹ IN ST §§ 32-31-9-9; 32-31-9-10
² IN ST § 32-31-9-9
³ IN ST § 32-31-9-10
⁴ IN ST § 32-31-9-11