Indiana landlords would not be allowed to make credit inquiries that lower applicants’ scores

A landlord may not make a hard inquiry or get or use a tenant screening report containing information obtained through one. This applies to landlords and people managing rental units in Indiana when an individual applies to rent a unit there. A hard inquiry is made to a consumer or tenant-history reporting agency for an applicant’s report or information in it, is noted on the report for a time, and lowers the applicant’s credit score. The chapter would take effect July 1, 2026, and this rule would apply from that date onward.

A landlord who violates the screening rule commits a deceptive act that an applicant or the attorney general may pursue under Indiana consumer law. This applies when a landlord violates the rule for rental applications. The chapter would take effect July 1, 2026.