Cal. Civ. Code § 32-31-3-16
Liability for withheld deposits
Operative Text
Sec. 16. A landlord who fails to comply with sections 14 and 15 of this chapter is liable to the tenant in an amount equal to the part of the deposit withheld by the landlord plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
Under Indiana Code § 32-31-3-16, a landlord who does not follow the rules governing security deposit deductions and itemized statements becomes financially liable to the tenant. The liability equals the amount of the deposit that was improperly withheld, and it also includes reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. This provision creates a direct monetary consequence tied to noncompliance with the deposit-handling requirements set out in sections 14 and 15 of the same chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Ind. Code § 32-31-3-16 makes clear that failing to comply with the deposit deduction and itemization requirements of sections 14 and 15 exposes a landlord to liability for the withheld amount plus the tenant's attorney's fees and court costs. Operators who follow the statutory timelines, provide proper written itemizations, and return any unearned portion of the deposit generally avoid this exposure. Maintaining thorough documentation of deductions and communications with tenants is a practice commonly associated with compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 32-31-3-16 gives tenants a legal remedy when a landlord fails to comply with the deposit rules in sections 14 and 15 — specifically, the right to recover the improperly withheld deposit amount along with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Tenants who believe a deposit was wrongfully kept may have grounds to raise this provision in a civil court proceeding. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help a tenant understand what documentation and steps are generally relevant to pursuing such a claim.
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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