Cal. Civ. Code § 32-31-1-11
Attornment of tenant to stranger
Operative Text
Sec. 11. The attornment of a tenant to a stranger is void and does not affect the possession of the landlord unless: (1) the landlord consents to the attornment; or (2) the attornment is made under a judgment at law or the order or decree of a court.
Indiana Code § 32-31-1-11 addresses what happens when a tenant attempts to acknowledge a third party—someone outside the existing landlord-tenant relationship—as their new landlord without proper authority. Under this provision, such an acknowledgment (called an "attornment") is legally void and has no effect on the original landlord's rights over the property, unless the landlord has given consent or a court has ordered the change through a judgment, order, or decree. In other words, a tenant cannot unilaterally shift their tenancy obligations to a stranger simply by agreeing to do so.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 32-31-1-11, a landlord's control over a rental property is protected from being undermined by unauthorized tenant-to-stranger attornments. Compliant property owners and managers typically document any consent they give to a change in the tenancy relationship in writing, ensuring there is a clear record if a dispute arises. When a property changes hands through a court proceeding, operators generally review the relevant judgment or decree to understand how it affects existing tenancy arrangements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 32-31-1-11 means that a tenant's agreement to treat a third party as their new landlord—without the original landlord's consent or a court order—carries no legal weight and does not alter the tenant's existing obligations. Tenants should be aware that only a court judgment, order, or decree, or the landlord's explicit consent, can legally shift the tenancy relationship to a new party. If a tenant believes someone is improperly claiming landlord status over their unit, tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help explain what options may be available under Indiana law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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