Deposit law · 50 states + DC
Your landlord kept your deposit. Here's the law.
Tell us your state and move-out date. We show you what your state's deposit law says, then write a demand letter that cites the statute. Two minutes, no account.
Check my rights — freeUnder [State] Code § [X], you are required to return my deposit within [Y] days.
Under [State] Code § [X], you are required to return my deposit within [Y] days.
Deductions to check
Not every deduction is legal.
State deposit laws draw a line between damage and ordinary wear. We've mapped that line for all 50 states — here's the shape of it.
See the rules for your stateHow it works
Three steps. About five minutes.
Tell us what happened
Your state and move-out date. We show what your state's statute says about the return deadline and count the days since you moved out.
We build your case
Enter each deduction. We mark the ones your state's law generally doesn't allow and draft a letter that cites the statute.
You send it
Print it and mail it, ideally by certified mail. The letter asks for payment or a written response within 14 days and says small claims court comes next. You can send it without a lawyer.
What you can do here
Everything renters need. Nothing they don't.
Demand Letter
A state-specific letter that names each deduction, challenges it against your state's statute, and gives your landlord 14 days to respond.
Complete Recovery Kit
The demand letter plus the escalation letter, a small claims filing guide, and an evidence checklist.
Lease Review
Upload your lease. We flag unenforceable clauses and cite the state statute that makes each one void.
Small-Claims Kit
Your court and filing fee, an evidence checklist keyed to your landlord's deductions, a hearing script, and your letters as numbered exhibits.
All free tools — including the letter checker — work without an account. See all free tools →
What's in your letter
Every line has a job.
- Your state's specific statute citation
- Return deadline and penalty, where your state's statute sets them
- IRS depreciation analysis for claimed damages
- Small claims court filing details
- Clean, print-ready formatting
What it costs
A lawyer's first hour, or your whole case.
You can send a demand letter without an attorney. Here's how the costs compare.
| DepositHawk | Attorney | DIY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand letter, statute-cited | $19 | Billed hourly | Hours of research |
| Cites your state's deposit statute | Included | Billable | You look it up |
| Flags deductions the law generally doesn't allow | Included | Billable | On your own |
| Small claims filing guide | In the $49 kit | Billable | Court website |
| Turnaround | Minutes | Days–weeks | Up to you |
Rights Check
Your state's return deadline, penalty rules, and which deductions the law generally allows.
Check my rightsDemand Letter
The statute-cited letter that names each deduction and sets a 14-day deadline.
Get startedComplete Recovery Kit
Demand + escalation letters, small claims guide, evidence checklist.
Get startedOne-time purchases — no subscription. Move-in to move-out protection is available separately for renters who want to document a unit before there's ever a dispute.
Return deadlines by state
Know your rights in every state.
Where a state has a fixed return period, the number is the deadline it sets. The rest say “See statute” — their clock depends on more than a move-out date. Tap any state for the full statute, penalty, and deduction rules.
Common questions
Before you write the letter.
A chatbot can compute your deadline and draft a letter citing your state's statute. It can't mail the letter by certified mail for you, and it has no database of your landlord's eviction-filing history. DepositHawk does both.
DepositHawk is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information and documents are for informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is created. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.