Separate ordinary use from damage
Indiana security deposit deductions should not treat ordinary wear and tear as tenant-caused damage. Ordinary wear is the normal aging and use of a rental. Damage is more serious harm beyond normal use.
Examples that may look like ordinary wear
- Light carpet traffic wear.
- Faded paint or finishes from time and sunlight.
- Small nail holes from normal hanging.
- Minor scuffs from ordinary living.
- Worn fixtures that aged through normal use.
Examples that may look more like damage
- Large holes, broken fixtures, or missing items.
- Pet damage beyond ordinary use.
- Stains, burns, or water damage caused by tenant conduct.
- Excessive filth or trash left behind.
- Repairs caused by misuse, neglect, or lease violations.
How to protect yourself
- Take move-in and move-out photos.
- Save the lease and any condition checklist.
- Keep key-return and possession-delivery proof.
- Ask for the itemized notice and estimated repair costs.
- Compare the claimed charge to the condition at the start of the tenancy.
Related Indiana guides
- What landlords can deduct in Indiana
- Indiana move-out checklist
- Indiana evidence checklist
- Indiana demand letter
If ordinary wear is being treated as damage, respond in writing and keep the photos, lease, and accounting together. The point is to compare the charge to what the unit actually looked like, not just the label the landlord used.
Get the Deposit Recovery System
Important: This is general information and not legal advice.