INDIANA—The Indiana legislature passed several new laws concerning eviction procedures, property rights, and landlord-tenant relations, which will take effect on July 1, 2025. These legislative changes, detailed below, will impact tenants, landlords, and property owners across the state.
Protecting Tenants’ Records (S.E.A. 142, P.L. 128-2025): This new law introduces measures to protect certain eviction records from public disclosure. It allows a court to order the non-disclosure of eviction records on its initiative. Furthermore, under specific circumstances, tenants can file a motion requesting that documents related to their eviction case remain private. The court may issue such an order without holding a hearing in certain situations. Notably, the law also specifies that a final judgment for monetary recovery or costs will not constitute a lien on real estate if the associated eviction actions are prohibited from disclosure. The full bill can be read at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/142.
Defining and Expediting Removal of Squatters (S.E.A. 157, P.L. 191-2025): Senate Enrolled Act 157 provides a legal definition for “squatter,” identifying them as individuals occupying another’s property without a rental agreement, owner permission, or other legal interest. The new law empowers property owners to execute an affidavit attesting to the unauthorized occupancy. Upon receiving such an affidavit, law enforcement agencies must dispatch officers to remove the squatter within 48 hours, unless public safety necessitates a delay. Property owners can also execute the affidavit at the time of law enforcement response. Officers must remove the individual unless credible evidence suggests they are not a squatter. The law permits law enforcement agencies to create a standard affidavit form and grants them certain immunities. It also establishes a cause of action for wrongful removal from property. The full bill can be read at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/157.
Shortening Timeframe for Abandoned Tenant Property (H.E.A. 1079, P.L. 154-2025): House Enrolled Act 1079 modifies the timeline for the disposal of a tenant’s unclaimed property. Under the new law, a warehouseman or storage facility will be permitted to sell the property if a tenant fails to claim their property within 45 days after receiving the required notice. Current law mandates a 90-day waiting period. The full bill can be read at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1079.
Emergency Possessory Orders for Landlords (H.E.A. 1115, P.L. 157-2025): House Enrolled Act 1115 introduces the possibility for landlords to petition for an emergency possessory order under specific circumstances. A court will be required to order a tenant to return possession of a dwelling unit to the landlord if it finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that either: (1) the tenant or their guest has committed a crime affecting the health and safety of another tenant, the landlord, or the landlord’s agent; or (2) the tenant provided materially false information to induce the landlord into the lease agreement or granting possession. The law clarifies that these provisions do not infringe upon the rights of tenants who are victims of certain crimes. The full bill can be read at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1115.
These new laws represent significant shifts in how eviction matters are handled, how property owners can address unauthorized occupants, the timeline for dealing with abandoned property, and the circumstances under which landlords can seek emergency possession of their rental units. Landlords, tenants, and property owners are advised to familiarize themselves with these changes before they take effect on July 1, 2025.
