Cal. Civ. Code § 32-31-2-2
Failure to record lease; effect
Operative Text
Sec. 2. (a) This section does not apply to any lease that is entered into by the Indiana department of transportation under IC 8-23-2. (b) If a lease for a period longer than three (3) years is not recorded within forty-five (45) days after its execution, the lease is void against any subsequent purchaser, lessee, or mortgagee who acquires the real estate in good faith and for valuable consideration.
Under Indiana Code § 32-31-2-2, a lease lasting more than three years must be recorded in the public land records within 45 days of being signed. If that recording deadline is missed, the lease loses its legal force against later buyers, tenants, or lenders who acquire the property in good faith and for value — meaning those third parties are not bound by the unrecorded lease. This rule does not apply to leases entered into by the Indiana Department of Transportation under IC 8-23-2.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Ind. Code § 32-31-2-2 creates a clear deadline for landlords and property managers who execute leases running longer than three years: the lease must be recorded in the appropriate county recorder's office within 45 days of signing. Operators who handle long-term commercial or residential leases generally build recording into their standard closing or lease-execution checklist to avoid the risk that the lease could be declared void against a future purchaser, lessee, or mortgagee. Keeping a dated copy of the recording confirmation is a common practice for demonstrating timely compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 32-31-2-2 is relevant to tenants who have signed long-term leases — those exceeding three years — because an unrecorded lease may not be enforceable against a new owner or lender who later acquires the property without knowledge of the lease. Tenants in this situation may want to confirm whether their lease was recorded within the 45-day window by checking county recorder records, which are generally public. If a dispute arises over whether a long-term lease remains valid after a property transfer, tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help explain what options may be available under this provision.
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
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