Security Deposit Deductions
Compare each charge with the lease, the condition records, and the rules for your state. Ordinary wear generally should not be charged as tenant-caused damage.
Start with your deduction question
Choose the issue that matches your dispute: missing receipts, a missed deadline, an unreturned deposit, or charges that look inflated.
Do landlords have to provide receipts?
Start here if the charges are vague, unsupported, or missing invoices.
Did the landlord miss the deadline?
In many states, that matters even more than the deductions themselves.
No refund yet?
Review the next steps if the applicable deadline has passed.
Need the letter structure?
See how to frame unsupported deductions in a demand letter.
Common deduction disputes
- Can a Landlord Charge Cleaning Fees from a Security Deposit?1 min read
Review cleaning charges using move-in and move-out condition, itemization, actual work, cost support, the lease, and applicable state law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Carpet Cleaning?1 min read
Review carpet-cleaning charges using move-in and move-out condition, the lease, work performed, invoices, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Carpet Replacement?1 min read
Review carpet replacement charges using age, prior condition, documented damage, repairability, replacement scope, actual cost, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Painting?1 min read
Review paint charges using severity, prior condition, tenancy length, repair scope, invoices, lease terms, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Nail Holes in the Wall?1 min read
Review nail-hole charges using the number and size of the holes, prior wall condition, repair scope, photos, invoices, tenancy length, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Keys, Locks, or Rekeying?1 min read
Review key, remote, and rekeying charges using what was issued and returned, the lease, the reason for the work, and documented replacement costs.
- Can a Landlord Keep My Deposit for Pet Damage?1 min read
Review pet-related charges using condition evidence, causation, the work performed, item age, repair options, invoices, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Smoke or Odor Removal?1 min read
Review smoke- or odor-remediation charges using condition records, the cause, work performed, invoices, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Charge for Mold or Water Damage?1 min read
Learn how moisture source, notice history, inspections, causation, and repair records can help you evaluate mold or water-damage charges.
- Can a Landlord Deduct Unpaid Rent from a Security Deposit?1 min read
Review an unpaid-rent deduction using the lease, payment history, ledger, surrender date, proration, added fees, and applicable law.
- Can a Landlord Deduct Late Fees from a Security Deposit?1 min read
Review late-fee deductions using the lease, due dates, payment records, ledger, grace periods, and applicable law.
Quick tools
If you have an itemized statement, run the specific line items through the free tool.
All deduction guides
Need to challenge a charge?
Review the charge and supporting records for free, then create a demand letter if you decide to dispute it.
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