Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in Ohio (2026)
A typical Ohio 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 Ohio
Ohio deposits fall below the national typical range, with Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland's inner suburbs the higher markets. State law sets no cap but requires interest at a statutory rate on the portion of a deposit above a threshold when the deposit is held more than six months, sets a 30-day return window with an itemized statement, and allows recovery of double the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees, so confirm the current figures. Cold winters, humid summers, and a large stock of older housing keep plaster, basement moisture, and paint wear common and mostly the owner's cost.
Tips for Ohio buyers
- Compute interest only on the excess above the statutory threshold and only once the holding period is met.
- Ask for the forwarding address in writing so the 30-day clock and mailing address are both clear.
- Columbus and Athens turn over on the university calendar; have painters booked for August.
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.