Last updated: September 2026Researched by DepositHawk Research Team

How to Sue Your Landlord for Your Security Deposit

Yes — you can sue your landlord in small claims court over a withheld security deposit, and you don’t need a lawyer to do it. The steps are the same in every state: send a written demand letter and wait out your state’s response deadline, file a claim at your county’s small claims court, pay the filing fee (typically $10 to $105, depending on the state), have your landlord served with notice, then show up with your lease, photos, and the demand letter as evidence. Pick your state below for the exact claim limit, filing fee, deadline, and court.

Your demand letter went unanswered. Get the Small-Claims Kit — $79 if you’ve decided to file. Court-filing materials prepared from your own case. Information, not legal advice — no attorney involved.

AlabamaUp to $6,000 AlaskaUp to $10,000 ArizonaUp to $5,000 ArkansasUp to $5,000 CaliforniaUp to $12,500 ColoradoUp to $7,500 ConnecticutUp to $5,000 DelawareUp to $25,000 District of ColumbiaUp to $10,000 FloridaUp to $8,000 GeorgiaUp to $15,000 HawaiiNo dollar limit for deposit cases (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 633-27(a))IdahoUp to $15,000 IllinoisUp to $10,000 IndianaConfirm your court's limit with the clerk IowaUp to $6,500 KansasUp to $4,000 KentuckyUp to $2,500 LouisianaUp to $5,000 MaineUp to $6,000 MarylandUp to $5,000 MassachusettsUp to $7,000 MichiganUp to $7,000 MinnesotaUp to $15,000 MississippiUp to $3,500 MissouriUp to $5,000 MontanaUp to $7,000 NebraskaUp to $3,600 NevadaUp to $10,000 New HampshireUp to $10,000 New JerseyUp to $5,000 New MexicoUp to $10,000 New YorkConfirm your court's limit with the clerk North CarolinaUp to $10,000 North DakotaUp to $15,000 OhioUp to $6,000 OklahomaUp to $10,000 OregonUp to $10,000 PennsylvaniaUp to $12,000 Rhode IslandUp to $5,000 South CarolinaUp to $7,500 South DakotaUp to $12,000 TennesseeUp to $25,000 TexasUp to $20,000 UtahUp to $20,000 VermontUp to $5,000 VirginiaUp to $5,000 WashingtonUp to $10,000 West VirginiaUp to $20,000 WisconsinUp to $10,000 WyomingUp to $6,000

See what your state’s law says your landlord owes you. Get the Small-Claims Kit — $79.

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.