Tenant Rights Indiana Law

Summary

The user had a rabbit in their apartment that caused significant damage. The rabbit was not included in the lease. The landlord asked the user to vacate and pay for the damages but did not provide an itemized bill within the 45 days required by Indiana law. The user did not have renters insurance and did not have a security deposit with the landlord. The lease agreement stated that the resident may be held responsible for any disturbance or damage caused by visiting animals. The user claimed the rabbit was a visiting animal, but the landlord was not informed about the rabbit before the incident.

Full Conversation

I lived at an apartment and I had a rabbit that wasn’t on the lease. The rabbit was ended up chewing through my supply line and flooded mine and a couple other apartments. They gave me a 30 days notice to vacate so I did. They said I needed to pay for the damages. But in indiana there’s a law that says they need to give me an itamized bill of damages within 45 days and it’s been almost 60 days since I left and they have not done that yet. Does this situation fall under the law were they have to send it within the 45 days?
Did you receive any written communication from your landlord regarding the damages after you vacated the apartment?

In Indiana, landlords must return the deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions within 45 days (Indiana Code *-*-*-* to *-*-*-*).
No I have not. I gave them my forwarding address when I left and they haven’t sent me anything. They said it would probably take them a while because they would have to fix everything first
Did you document the condition of the apartment when you left? This could be useful in your case.

- Indiana law requires landlords to provide an itemized list of deductions within 45 days.
Yes I took photos of my apartment when I left
Did you share these photos with your landlord or any other relevant party?

In Indiana, it's beneficial to have evidence of the apartment's condition upon leaving.
i have not but during the flood they came in and took photos of everything
What was the extent of the damage caused by the flood?

In Indiana, landlords can only deduct for damages beyond normal wear and tear (Indiana Code *-*-*-*).
floor. Drywall. Carpets. Ceiling. Lighting. Other apartments
Did you have renter's insurance at the time of the incident?
no
Did you sign any document or agreement with the landlord regarding the responsibility for the damages?
i don’t so
Did you have any verbal agreement with your landlord about the responsibility for the damages?
They just told me I would have to pay for the damages and I would have to leave
Did you receive any written notice from your landlord stating that you are responsible for the damages?
no
Did you have any pets clause in your lease agreement?
the rabbit wasn’t on my leave
Did you inform your landlord about the rabbit before the incident occurred?
no
Did you receive any form of communication from your landlord after the *-day period?
no
Did you have a security deposit with the landlord? If so, have they returned it to you?
i did not have a security deposit
Did you sign any agreement that states you would be responsible for any damages caused by pets, even if they were not included in the lease?
Yes I think so
Did the agreement specifically mention responsibility for damages caused by pets not listed in the lease?
it says “visiting animals are not allowed. Assistance animals are allowed to accompany guests, however, the resident responsible for the guest may be held responsible for any disturbance or damage caused by the animal
Did you inform your landlord that the rabbit was a visiting animal and not a pet?
I said I was watching it for someone
Did the landlord know that the rabbit was a visiting animal before the incident occurred?
no
Did you have any written agreement with the landlord about the rabbit being a visiting animal and not a pet?
No
Did you receive any form of communication from your landlord after the *-day period?
no
Did you have any form of communication with your landlord after the *-day period?
no
Did you have any form of communication with your landlord after the *-day period?
no
Did you have any form of communication with your landlord after the *-day period?
i did not
Did you have any form of written agreement with the person you were watching the rabbit for?
no
Did you have any form of written agreement with your landlord about your responsibility for damages caused by pets or visiting animals?

In Indiana, landlords must provide an itemized list of deductions within 45 days (Indiana Code *-*-*-* to *-*-*-*).
The lease says it says “visiting animals are not allowed. Assistance animals are allowed to accompany guests, however, the resident responsible for the guest may be held responsible for any disturbance or damage caused by the animal
Did you inform your landlord about the rabbit being a visiting animal before the incident occurred?