Cal. Civ. Code § 32-31-7-6
Condition of rental premises upon termination of occupancy
Operative Text
Sec. 6. At the termination of a tenant's occupancy, the tenant shall deliver the rental premises to the landlord in a clean and proper condition, excepting ordinary wear and tear expected in the normal course of habitation of a dwelling unit.
Indiana Code § 32-31-7-6 establishes that when a tenancy ends, the rental unit must be returned to the landlord in a clean and proper condition. The rule carves out an exception for ordinary wear and tear — the gradual, expected deterioration that results from normal, everyday living — meaning tenants are not responsible for that category of decline. Damage beyond that standard, however, falls outside the exception.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 32-31-7-6, compliant operators generally document the condition of a unit both at move-in and at move-out, creating a clear record that distinguishes normal wear and tear from damage attributable to the tenant. Landlords who maintain dated photographs, written inspection reports, and itemized cost records are better positioned to substantiate any deductions from a security deposit. Distinguishing cosmetic aging — such as minor scuffs or carpet wear from regular foot traffic — from actual damage is central to applying this provision correctly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 32-31-7-6 gives tenants the right to have ordinary wear and tear excluded when a landlord evaluates the condition of a unit at move-out. Tenants generally protect themselves by documenting the unit's condition with photographs or written notes at both move-in and move-out. If a dispute arises over deductions that may improperly include normal wear and tear, options can include raising the issue in small claims court or consulting a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available remedies.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation