Covers all 50 states + DC

Get it
back.

Your landlord kept your security deposit. We know your state's exact return deadline, which deductions are illegal, and we generate a demand letter citing the specific statutes they violated.

Quick rights check

Select your state to see deposit return deadlines, penalty multipliers, and small claims limits.

26%of renters lose part of their deposit
$847average illegal deduction
50states + DC in our law engine
2–3×penalty in most states
The problem

Landlords keep
deposits because
tenants don't know
the statute.

Common illegal deductions
Carpet replacement (8 yr old carpet)
Exceeds useful life — not deductible in 47 states
Full repaint after 3-year tenancy
Normal depreciation — expected life exceeded
Pre-existing water stain
Violates move-in condition report requirements
"Deep cleaning" fee — $350
Illegal unless lease specifies AND unit left unsanitary
Nail holes from hanging pictures
Normal use — not deductible per statute
How it works
1

Enter your state and move-out date

We instantly calculate your state's return deadline and tell you whether it has already passed — which affects your penalty options.

2

List what your landlord deducted

Enter each deduction line by line. DepositHawk flags illegal charges (normal wear and tear, carpet age, pre-existing damage) and calculates the penalty multiplier.

3

Download your demand letter

Get a state-specific letter citing the exact statute your landlord violated, the full amount demanded including penalties, and a 14-day response deadline.

Sample output

See What Your
Letter Looks Like

Every letter cites your state's exact statutes and calculates the full penalty amount.

TX
Texas Prop. Code § 92.103
30-day return deadline. Up to 3x deposit + $100 penalty.
CA
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
21-day return deadline. Up to 2x deposit penalty.
NY
N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108
14-day return deadline. Actual damages awarded.
Check My Rights Free
March 31, 2026
 
Greenfield Property Management
[Landlord Address]
 
Re: Security Deposit Demand — 742 Oak Street, Apt 4B, Austin, TX
Tenant: Jane Martinez
Move-Out Date: February 1, 2026
Your letter generates in seconds
Check My Rights Free
Pricing

Cheaper than onehour with a lawyer.

Security deposit attorneys charge $150–$400/hour. Most cases settle after a demand letter. You don't need a lawyer — you need the right letter.

Capability
DepositHawk
$0–$49
Attorney
$150–400/hr
Do it yourself
$0
State-specific law lookup
Statute citations in letter
Penalty multiplier calculation
Demand letter generation
Ready in minutes
Small claims filing guide
Evidence checklist
Cost under $50
Rights Check
Free
  • State deadline lookup
  • Deduction legality checker
  • Rights summary
Check My Rights First
Most popular
Demand Letter
$19one-time
  • State-specific demand letter
  • Itemized deduction challenge
  • Deadline enforcement
  • PDF download
Check My Rights First
Full Case
$49one-time
  • Everything in Demand Letter
  • Small claims filing guide
  • Evidence checklist
  • Photo documentation template
  • Judge-ready summary packet
Check My Rights First
View security deposit laws for all 50 states →
Frequently asked

Your landlord
had a deadline.
So do you.

Every day past your state's filing deadline reduces what you can recover. The rights check takes 30 seconds.

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