Security Deposit Guides

A practical playbook: deadlines, itemizations, common deductions, and what to do if your landlord won't refund your deposit.

A renter-friendly move-out checklist: photos, cleaning, key return proof, forwarding address, and how to prevent bogus deductions.

A room-by-room photo checklist to protect your deposit: what judges want to see, what landlords claim, and how to label your evidence.

Deadlines vary by state and sometimes depend on move-out details. Learn the common rules and how to confirm your exact deadline.

A simple timeline: what to do at move-out, what to send, when to escalate, and how to prepare for small claims if needed.

What an itemized statement should include, common "invalid" patterns, and how to respond when your landlord's list doesn't add up.

A practical list of common deductions (cleaning, carpet, paint, keys, fees) and how to spot red flags like missing receipts and routine maintenance charges.

Receipts rules vary, but big deductions usually need proof. Learn what to request, what counts as documentation, and how to respond when receipts are missing.

Write a clear dispute, request receipts, argue wear-and-tear and depreciation correctly, and escalate if your landlord won't budge.

If the deadline passed and your landlord hasn't refunded your deposit, follow this escalation checklist: request, document, demand, and (if needed) small claims.

Roommate deposits get messy: who gets the refund, what if someone moves out early, and how to handle disputes when the landlord returns one check.

A simple demand-letter structure: timeline, amount, evidence, and deadline — plus a copy/paste template and when to use certified mail.