Quick Reference Guides for Deposit Disputes
Short, practical references on wear and tear, depreciation, bad faith, and certified mail for deposit disputes.
Deductions8 min
What is Normal Wear and Tear?
Learn what counts as normal wear and tear vs. tenant damage, and what landlords can legally charge for.
Deductions7 min
IRS Depreciation Rules for Security Deposits
How landlords must account for the age and useful life of items when calculating deductions.
Penalties7 min
Proving Landlord Bad Faith
How to prove your landlord acted in bad faith and recover penalty damages (2x-3x your deposit).
Recovery5 min
How to Send Certified Mail
Step-by-step guide to sending demand letters via certified mail for legal proof of delivery.
Need deeper research?
Use the Learning Center for longer explainers, then jump into state law pages for statute-specific rules and deadlines.