Landlord kept your security deposit? Get it back.
Every state gives landlords a deadline to return your deposit. Miss it, and many states let you collect a penalty on top. Check your state's rules free, then send a demand letter that cites the law.
- Free check, no sign-up
- Rules from each state's statute, with links
- Demand letter for $19.99, ready in minutes
Landlords keep deposits all the time. The law is on your side more often than you think.
About half
of renters who moved out didn't get their full deposit back: 42% got all of it, 20% most, 20% some and 10% none.
Source: Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report 2024, via Rapid Eye Inspections
$700
was the median security deposit, and 88% of renters paid one.
Up to 3×
the amount wrongfully withheld is what Texas and Georgia law allow a court to award, plus attorney's fees.
How to get your security deposit back
- Step 1
Check your state's deadline
Enter your state, move-out date and amounts. See whether your landlord missed the deadline and what you could claim.
- Step 2
Send a demand letter
Your letter cites the statute, the missed deadline or disputed deductions, and gives 14 days to pay. Mail it certified and keep the receipt.
- Step 3
Escalate if they ignore it
Send the final notice, then file in small claims court with the checklist provided. Many states add a penalty for bad faith.
Full walkthrough: How to get your security deposit back
A security deposit demand letter that cites your state's law
Generic templates don't know your state's deadline or penalty. Your letter does: it names the statute, the exact date your landlord missed, the amount owed and what a court can add for bad faith. That's what gets a landlord's attention.
| Free template | DepositClaimNow | Attorney letter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $19.99 | around $600 |
| Cites your state's statute | Rarely | Yes | Yes |
| Your deadline and penalty worked out | No | Yes | Yes |
| Final notice letter | No | Yes | Varies |
| A lawyer reviews your case | No | No | Yes |
Attorney price from a published attorney-letter service, October 2026.
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — 88 Elm St, Apt 4, Austin, TX Dear Acme Rentals LLC, I was your tenant at 88 Elm St, Apt 4 and moved out on August 29, 2026. I paid a security deposit of $1,500. To date, none of it has been returned. Under Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.109, the landlord must refund the deposit, or give a written itemized list of deductions, on or before the 30th day after the tenant surrenders the premises. That deadline was September 28, 2026…
Security deposit laws in all 50 states
Every state, plus Washington, DC: the deadline your landlord has, what they must send you, and the penalty for keeping a deposit wrongfully. Each page links to the statute itself.
- jurisdictions covered
- 51
- jurisdictions covered
- days to return a deposit
- 14–60
- days to return a deposit
- top penalty in some states
- 3×
- top penalty in some states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Guides for renters
How to get your security deposit back from a landlord
Landlord kept your security deposit? The 6 steps renters use to get it back: the state deadline, a forwarding address, a demand letter, and small claims.
Security deposit demand letter: what to include and how to send it
What a security deposit demand letter should say, the state law to cite, how much time to give the landlord, and why to send it by certified mail.
Normal wear and tear vs. damage: what a landlord can deduct
What counts as normal wear and tear that a landlord can't charge for, versus damage they can deduct from your security deposit, with common examples.
Suing a landlord in small claims court for a security deposit
When to take your landlord to small claims court over a security deposit, where to file, what to bring, and what you can ask the judge for.
Security deposit questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
It depends on your state. Most give the landlord 14 to 30 days after move-out: 14 days in New York, 21 in California, 30 in Texas, Florida (when deducting), Massachusetts, New Jersey and many others. A few allow 45 to 60 days, and Kentucky and Tennessee set no fixed number of days. We cover all 50 states and Washington, DC.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my security deposit?
Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing, then send a demand letter by certified mail that cites your state's security deposit law and sets a payment date. If they still don't pay, you can file in small claims court, where many states allow a penalty for bad-faith withholding.
Can my landlord keep my deposit for normal wear and tear?
In most states, no. Landlords can usually deduct unpaid rent and the reasonable cost of repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear, and must give you an itemized list. See our guide to wear and tear vs. damage.
Is this legal advice?
No. DepositClaimNow is a self-help document tool. It turns your answers and your state's statute into a letter you review and send yourself. No lawyer reviews your case. For advice on your situation, contact a lawyer or your local legal aid office.
What do I get for the payment?
A demand letter that cites your state's security deposit law, the deadline your landlord had and the penalty they face; a final-notice letter; sending instructions; and a small claims checklist. Everything stays at a private link we email to you.
What if the landlord still doesn't pay?
We can't promise your landlord will pay; no one honestly can. That's why the check is free and you see your result and a preview before paying. The letter is delivered instantly, so all sales are final. If you're charged twice or the letter doesn't reach you because of a problem on our side, we refund you.
Why is my card charged in Georgian lari?
The seller is a sole trader registered in Georgia and payments are processed by Bank of Georgia, which settles in GEL. Your card issuer converts the amount automatically, so you pay about the same as the USD price, plus any foreign-transaction fee your card charges.