Cal. Civ. Code § 32-31-5-5
Tenant's personal property
Operative Text
Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in IC 16-41-27-29, IC 32-31-3, or IC 32-31-4, a landlord may not: (1) take possession of; (2) remove from a tenant's dwelling unit; (3) deny a tenant access to; or (4) dispose of; a tenant's personal property in order to enforce an obligation of the tenant to the landlord under a rental agreement. (b) The landlord and tenant may agree in a writing separate from the rental agreement that the landlord may hold property voluntarily tendered by the tenant as security in exchange for forbearance from an action to evict.
Indiana Code § 32-31-5-5 restricts landlords from using a tenant's personal belongings as a tool to collect rent or enforce other lease obligations. Specifically, the law bars landlords from seizing, removing, blocking access to, or disposing of a tenant's property for that purpose. A narrow exception exists: if a tenant voluntarily hands over property as security in exchange for the landlord holding off on eviction proceedings, that arrangement can be memorialized in a separate written agreement outside the main lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 32-31-5-5, compliant operators do not seize, relocate, withhold access to, or discard a tenant's belongings as a means of collecting unpaid rent or enforcing any other lease obligation. If a tenant voluntarily offers personal property as security to delay an eviction action, operators document that arrangement in a standalone written agreement that is separate from the rental agreement itself. Operators also remain aware of the statutory exceptions referenced in the provision—such as those governing abandoned property and specific eviction procedures—which outline the limited circumstances where different rules may apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 32-31-5-5 gives tenants a clear protection: a landlord generally cannot take, move, block access to, or throw away your personal property simply because you owe rent or have another obligation under your lease. If a landlord does any of these things outside the narrow exceptions the statute allows, that conduct may constitute a violation that can be raised as a defense in court or the basis for a legal claim. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, a legal aid office, or an attorney familiar with Indiana landlord-tenant law to understand the options available.
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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