Security Deposit Deduction Checker
Find out which deductions your landlord can legally take from your security deposit, what your state law says about return deadlines, and exactly how to fight back if you've been charged unfairly. Free, instant, covers all 50 US states.
🔍 Check Your Landlord's Deductions
How many days ago did you hand back the keys?
Select All Deductions Your Landlord Is Claiming:
Typically $100-300
Typically $300-800
Typically $300-800
Typically $300-800
Typically $500-1,500
Typically $500-1,500
Typically $0-50
Typically $100-400
Amount owed
Typically $100-500
Typically $50-200
Varies widely
May not be valid from deposit
Normal wear — not chargeable
Normal wear — not chargeable
Normal wear — not chargeable
🔍 Your Deduction Analysis
Your Deposit
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Legally Challengeable
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Likely Valid Deductions
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📋 Deduction-by-Deduction Analysis
⚖️ Your State's Security Deposit Law
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✅ How to Fight Unfair Deductions
- Send a written demand letter immediately — state which deductions you're disputing and why they're illegal (normal wear and tear, past the deadline, etc.). Send via certified mail.
- Attach your move-out documentation — photos, videos, and any move-out inspection report. This is your strongest evidence.
- Give your landlord 10-14 days to respond — state in your letter that you will pursue legal action if they don't return the disputed amount.
- File in Small Claims Court — most states allow claims up to $10,000-$15,000 without a lawyer. Filing fees are typically $30-100. In many states, you can win 2-3x the wrongfully withheld amount.
- Check if your landlord missed the return deadline — if they did, they may have forfeited the right to ANY deductions in your state. This is powerful leverage.
- Contact free tenant legal aid — Bay Area Legal Aid (CA), Legal Aid Society (NY), and similar organizations offer free help with security deposit disputes.
Normal Wear and Tear vs. Damage — The Key Distinction
The most common security deposit dispute comes down to one question: is this normal wear and tear, or is it damage the tenant caused? Landlords regularly try to charge for things that legally qualify as normal wear and tear — which they cannot do in any US state. Understanding this distinction is your most powerful tool for getting your deposit back.
✗ Landlord CANNOT Charge For
- Small nail holes from pictures
- Minor scuffs on walls
- Faded or discolored paint (age)
- Worn carpet from normal foot traffic
- Loose door handles or hinges
- Minor scratches on hardwood floors
- Faded curtains or blinds (sunlight)
- Worn paint near light switches
- Small stains from normal use
- Dusty window tracks or vents
✓ Landlord CAN Charge For
- Large holes in walls
- Burn marks on carpet or floors
- Unauthorized paint colors
- Pet stains and odors
- Broken windows or fixtures
- Missing or broken blinds
- Excessive filth requiring deep cleaning
- Broken appliances (tenant caused)
- Lost or unreturned keys
- Unpaid rent or utilities
Security Deposit Return Deadlines by State
Missing the return deadline is one of the most common landlord violations — and it's one of the most powerful tools tenants have. In many states, if your landlord misses the deadline to return your deposit, they forfeit the right to make ANY deductions, regardless of the condition of the unit.
| State | Return Deadline | Penalty for Late Return | Itemization Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 21 days | 2x wrongfully withheld | ✅ Yes |
| Texas | 30 days | 3x + $100 + attorney fees | ✅ Yes |
| New York | 14 days | Forfeits right to deductions | ✅ Yes |
| Florida | 15-60 days | Forfeits right to deductions | ✅ Yes |
| Illinois | 30 days | 2x + attorney fees | ✅ Yes |
| Washington | 21 days | 2x wrongfully withheld | ✅ Yes |
| Colorado | 30 days | 3x wrongfully withheld | ✅ Yes |
| Georgia | 30 days | 3x wrongfully withheld | ✅ Yes |
| Arizona | 14 days | 2x wrongfully withheld | ✅ Yes |
| Tennessee | 30 days | Amount wrongfully withheld | ✅ Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a landlord legally deduct from my security deposit?
Landlords can legally deduct for unpaid rent, excessive cleaning costs (beyond what a standard clean would require), repairs for damage you caused beyond normal wear and tear, and in some states, last month's rent if specified in the lease. They cannot deduct for normal wear and tear — the expected deterioration from ordinary, careful use of the property over time.
My landlord is charging me for repainting — is that legal?
It depends. If the paint was in good condition when you moved in and you left it with only minor scuffs from normal living, repainting is considered normal wear and tear and cannot be charged to you. However, if you painted walls unauthorized colors, caused significant damage, or left the paint in much worse condition than when you moved in, repainting costs may be valid. The longer you lived there, the harder it is for a landlord to justify full painting charges — paint has a useful life of about 2-3 years in most states.
My landlord didn't return my deposit within the legal deadline — what now?
This is very powerful leverage. In most states, if your landlord misses the legally required return deadline, they forfeit the right to make any deductions — meaning they owe you the full deposit back regardless of any damage. In Texas, they can be liable for 3x the deposit amount plus $100 and attorney fees. Send a written demand letter immediately citing the specific statute and deadline they missed, and give them 10 days to respond before filing in Small Claims Court.
Can my landlord use my security deposit to cover an early termination fee?
In most states, no. Security deposits can only be applied to specific purposes: unpaid rent, cleaning, and repair of damages beyond normal wear and tear. An early termination fee is a separate contractual obligation and generally cannot be deducted from your security deposit unless your lease specifically states this and your state law permits it. If your landlord withholds your deposit for an early termination fee, you can challenge this in Small Claims Court in most states.
How do I prove my landlord's deductions are unfair?
Documentation is everything. Timestamped move-in and move-out photos and videos are your strongest evidence. If you have a signed move-in inspection checklist, that's even better. Any communication with your landlord about the unit's condition is also useful. In court, the burden is often on the landlord to prove the damage existed and was caused by you — not pre-existing. If you have photos showing the unit was in good condition when you left, that shifts the burden significantly in your favor.
Legal Disclaimer: This checker provides general educational information based on common landlord-tenant law principles. Security deposit rules vary significantly by state and local ordinance. Always consult your specific state's statutes and consider consulting a licensed attorney or free tenant legal aid for advice about your specific situation.