Security deposits: your renter rights
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Most states cap deposits, limit deductions to real damage beyond normal wear and tear, and require an itemized statement by a deadline. You can usually dispute vague or unsupported deductions — and many renters recover money.
Educational — information, not legal advice, and not attorney-reviewed. Rules depend on your state, city, and lease; the app shows the verified rule for where you live.
What this means
A security deposit is your money, held by the landlord as protection against unpaid rent or damage. When you move out, the landlord can typically deduct only for real damage beyond normal wear and tear, and most states require a written, itemized list of any deductions returned by a set deadline.
Ordinary wear — faded paint, small nail holes, worn carpet from normal use — generally can't be charged to you. If deductions are vague, unsupported, or clearly wear and tear, you can push back, and a written demand or small-claims case often recovers the money.
What to do
- Take dated move-in and move-out photos and give your landlord a forwarding address in writing.
- Ask, in writing, for an itemized statement with receipts or estimates.
- Compare each charge against normal wear and tear; note anything unsupported.
- If unresolved, send a written demand — the app drafts one — or consider small claims.
Your rights vary by state
The specific deadlines and limits are set where you live. Start with your state:
Common questions
Turn this into action.
Renter Shield shows your state's verified rule, drafts calm letters, tracks deadlines, and keeps your evidence private on your device — free to start.