Eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka), Indiana
Where eviction cases are filed in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)
- Eviction court
- St. Joseph Superior Court - Small Claims Court — Superior court small claims division Court page
- Filing fee
- $97 small claims filing (paper) or $87 if e-filed + $28 if sheriff service is requested; $10 per additional defendant on paper filings St. Joseph Superior Court Small Claims - Instructions for Filing a Small Claims Suit (revised 2025)
- Notice before filing (state law)
- Not less than 10 days' notice to pay or vacate, unless the parties agreed otherwise or the tenant pays in full within the notice period. Indiana rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,292/month HUD
- Renter households
- 33,230 (31% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)
Eviction cases in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka) are heard by the St. Joseph Superior Court - Small Claims Court (Superior court small claims division).
- St. Joseph Superior Small Claims Court (Courthouse #2) — 112 S. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 (574-235-9794) · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records
The court's filing instructions explain venue, number of copies and service options. E-filers who request sheriff service must give the sheriff copies of the filed papers.
How much it costs to file an eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)
$97 small claims filing (paper) or $87 if e-filed + $28 if sheriff service is requested; $10 per additional defendant on paper filings
Matches the statewide Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual (https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/courtmgmt-pubs-trial-court-fee-manual.pdf). Cannot afford fees: ask the court to waive pre-payment.
Source: St. Joseph Superior Court Small Claims - Instructions for Filing a Small Claims Suit (revised 2025)
The Indiana eviction process
Indiana state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka):
- Serve notice: 10-day notice to pay or vacate for nonpayment, or the applicable termination notice for periodic tenancies
- File a complaint for possession (and damages) in a court with jurisdiction, often the small claims docket
- Optional: file an affidavit for immediate possession; the court issues an order to show cause with a hearing no earlier than 5 business days after service
- Possession hearing; judgment for possession
- Separate damages hearing may follow for unpaid rent and damages
- Order/writ of possession executed by sheriff or other executing officer
Full Indiana eviction rules with sources →
Rent in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $898 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,105 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,292 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,567 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,711 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka): $1,062/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified. Indiana law bars local units from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 or similar housing vouchers (IC 36-1-3-8.5, https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_36/Article_1/Chapter_3.pdf) and generally preempts local regulation of rents, security deposits, screening, lease terms and landlord fees (IC 32-31-1-20, https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_32/Article_31/Chapter_1.pdf).
Eviction help in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)
Free legal help
- Indiana Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for eligible low-income Hoosiers.
Other Indiana counties
- Eviction in Marion County (Indianapolis)
- Eviction in Lake County (Gary, Hammond)
- Eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne)
- Eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)
- Eviction in Hamilton County (Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville)
- Eviction in Vanderburgh County (Evansville)
- Eviction in Monroe County (Bloomington)
Related
- Indiana landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Indiana
- Indiana eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Indiana (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)?
What is the fair market rent in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.