Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in Indiana (2026)
A typical Indiana range, the local factors behind it, and the tools to price your own project.
Reviewed for 2026, updated September 8, 2026.
What drives the cost in Indiana
Indiana deposits generally fall below the national typical range, with Indianapolis and the northwest counties near Chicago running highest. State law sets no cap and is commonly cited as giving landlords 45 days after termination to mail an itemized notice to the forwarding address, and a landlord who skips the notice generally forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit. Cold winters, humid summers, and a large stock of older housing mean paint, plaster, and basement moisture issues are usually wear rather than damage.
Tips for Indiana buyers
- Never skip the written itemization even when you plan to keep the whole deposit; the notice is what preserves your claim.
- Ask for the forwarding address in writing at move-out so the clock and the mailing are both clear.
- Basement dampness is an owner issue in most Indiana houses; do not charge tenants for musty odors or efflorescence.
Ranges are hedged planning estimates derived from a national typical range and a local index, not quotes. A typical single deposit on a market-rate residential rental is commonly around one month's rent, which puts most deposits somewhere in this range; actual amounts vary widely with local rents, unit size, pets, and state caps, and this is a working reference rather than a survey figure.
Price your project
- Deposit Deduction Depreciation Calculator: Estimates how much of a carpet, paint, blind, or appliance replacement a landlord can fairly deduct from a security deposit once the item's age and normal wear are taken into account.
- Security Deposit Refund Statement Calculator: Adds up the deposit held, any interest owed, and each itemized deduction to show the exact refund due to the tenant or the balance the tenant still owes.
- Late Deposit Return Penalty Exposure Calculator: Shows landlords how many days remain before a state return deadline and what missing it could cost when a statute allows forfeited deductions or multiplied damages.