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Eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette), Indiana

Where eviction cases are filed in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)

Eviction court
Tippecanoe Superior Court 7 — Superior court (hybrid docket including evictions and landlord-tenant matters at the small claims level) 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 Indiana Office of Judicial Administration - Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual (small claims, courts other than Marion County township courts)
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)
$1,242/month HUD
Renter households
35,338 (47% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)

Eviction cases in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette) are heard by the Tippecanoe Superior Court 7 (Superior court (hybrid docket including evictions and landlord-tenant matters at the small claims level)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records

Superior Court 7 handles evictions and landlord-tenant issues at the small claims level and posts its own forms (eviction complaint, counterclaim, motion for return of security deposit, eviction expungement). Fines and costs are paid to the Tippecanoe County Clerk.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)

$97 small claims filing (paper) or $87 if e-filed + $28 if sheriff service is requested; $10 per additional defendant on paper filings

Statewide small claims costs for courts other than Marion County township courts. Cannot afford fees: ask the court to waive pre-payment (fee waiver request with income information).

Source: Indiana Office of Judicial Administration - Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual (small claims, courts other than Marion County township courts)

The Indiana eviction process

Indiana state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette):

  1. Serve notice: 10-day notice to pay or vacate for nonpayment, or the applicable termination notice for periodic tenancies
  2. File a complaint for possession (and damages) in a court with jurisdiction, often the small claims docket
  3. 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
  4. Possession hearing; judgment for possession
  5. Separate damages hearing may follow for unpaid rent and damages
  6. Order/writ of possession executed by sheriff or other executing officer

Full Indiana eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$894
1 bedroom$1,032
2 bedrooms$1,242
3 bedrooms$1,489
4 bedrooms$1,992

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette): $1,124/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 Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)

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Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)?
Eviction cases in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette) are filed with the Tippecanoe Superior Court 7.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)?
$97 small claims filing (paper) or $87 if e-filed + $28 if sheriff service is requested; $10 per additional defendant on paper filings.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)?
Indiana Legal Services.
What is the fair market rent in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,242 per month (1-bedroom: $1,032).

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.