Mobile home park fees in Indiana

Indiana has no dedicated mobile home park fee law. The general landlord-tenant law sets the security-deposit return rule, the mobile home community chapter sets a limited lien, and the written lease controls the rest. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone disputing a specific charge should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Indiana.

What the statute says

Under Ind. Code §32-31-3-12(a), upon termination of a rental agreement "a landlord shall return to the tenant the security deposit minus any amount applied to" accrued rent, damages from the tenant's noncompliance, and unpaid utility or sewer charges, "all as itemized by the landlord with the amount due in a written notice that is delivered to the tenant not more than forty-five (45) days after termination ... and delivery of possession." Indiana sets no statutory dollar cap on the deposit, and the mobile home community chapter has no provision banning entrance, exit, or transfer fees.

The community's lien is limited by Ind. Code §16-41-27-29: it is an innkeeper's-style lien, but where a lienholder holds "a properly perfected secured interest" and gives certified-mail notice, "the maximum amount of the innkeeper's lien may not exceed the actual late rent owed for not more than a maximum of sixty (60) days" before notice.

How it works in general

In Indiana, the one clear statutory fee protection is the deposit-return rule: whatever deposit the lease sets, the landlord has to return it — with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 45 days after the tenancy ends and the resident gives a mailing address. Indiana doesn't cap the deposit and doesn't ban entrance, exit, or transfer fees in parks, so those charges come down to the written lease and general law. A community can place a lien for unpaid rent, but a secured lender's interest caps that lien at 60 days of late rent. Reading the lease for every charge is the key step.

Common scenarios

General examples Indiana park residents commonly encounter:

• A deposit isn't returned. It must be returned, itemized, within 45 days (§32-31-3-12).
• A park charges an entrance or transfer fee. No statute bans it — the lease controls.
• A community claims a lien for back rent. A secured lender's notice caps it at 60 days of late rent (§16-41-27-29).

Other authorities that may apply

The general landlord-tenant law (Ind. Code §32-31-3) governs the security deposit; the mobile home community chapter (§16-41-27-29) governs the lien. Because Indiana has no dedicated park fee act, this guide flags the absence of fee limits honestly. Federal law can apply in particular situations.