Your Next Landlord
Is Going to Try
the Same Thing.
40% of renters dispute their deposit deductions — most never see it coming because they didn't document anything at move-in. DepositHawk fixes that. (Roost survey)
Start documentingMove in. Take the photos we tell you to take. We store them.
Your landlord is counting on you not having photos from move-in day. That's how they charge you $1,200 for carpet that was already 6 years old. That's how “normal wear and tear” becomes a $500 deduction on your statement.
We tell you exactly what to photograph based on your state's law. We store it in the cloud. We check in every 3 months to make sure nothing's changed. And if your landlord pulls the same thing landlords always pull, the demand letter is included.
When your lease ends, you take the same photos again. We put them side by side — move-in vs. move-out, room by room. If your landlord can't explain why they're keeping your money, you have the evidence that says they can't.
Not sure what to photograph? Use the move-in checklist →
12 tools. $3 a month.
State-specific photo checklist
We know what your state considers a legal deduction. We tell you what to photograph in every room so you have proof if it comes up.
Cloud photo storage
Your photos live in encrypted cloud storage for the life of your lease. Not on your phone where they get deleted, backed up wrong, or lost in a transfer.
Landlord communication log
Every text, email, and maintenance request — documented with timestamps. Landlords love to say they 'never received' your complaints.
Quarterly check-ins
Every 3 months we ask: anything changed? Any repairs? Any new damage? This builds a timeline, not just two snapshots.
Lease clause red flag checker
Upload your lease terms and we flag clauses that are unenforceable in your state. 'Non-refundable cleaning fee' is illegal in most states. We tell you which ones.
Deposit interest tracking
14 states require your landlord to pay interest on your deposit. Most never do because tenants don't know. We calculate what you're owed.
Move-out checklist + comparison
When it's time to leave, we walk you through the same rooms. Side-by-side photos. If the apartment looks the same, your landlord has nothing.
Demand letter — included
If your landlord keeps your deposit, the demand letter is included in your subscription. State-specific, statute citations, penalty multiplier — the same $19 letter, no extra charge.
Junk fee auditor
Input your fees, we flag the illegal ones and draft a dispute letter. Admin fees, amenity fees, 'convenience' fees — a lot of them aren't enforceable. We check every one against your state's rules.
RUBS utility verifier
Think your landlord's overcharging for utilities? We check the math. RUBS allocations are supposed to follow specific formulas — most landlords round up in their favor.
Rent increase analyzer
Is your increase legal? We check your state's cap and compare to market rates in your area. If it's above the limit, we cite the statute and tell you what to do next.
Retaliation timeline tracker
Log complaints and landlord actions — we flag retaliation automatically. If your rent goes up right after you reported a code violation, that's a pattern courts care about.
What you're probably losing every month.
DepositHawk Protection: $3/mo.
That's 64x return on what you're paying us.
$3/mo
Or $30/yr — two months free.
The demand letter alone costs $19 if you buy it one-off. Subscribers get it included — no extra charge.
12 tools. $36/year protects thousands.
Protect my depositNot sure if your lease has problematic clauses? Check your lease for free — we flag the clauses that aren't enforceable in your state before you ever need to fight about them.
What people ask before signing up.
What if I'm already mid-lease?
You can still start. Photos from today forward document the apartment's current condition. It's not as strong as move-in photos, but it's a lot better than nothing — which is what most tenants have.
Do I really need this?
40% of renters dispute their deposit deductions — but most give up because the legal process is confusing (Roost survey). You're paying $3/mo to avoid losing hundreds of dollars. That math works.
What happens when I move out?
We switch to move-out mode. You take the same photos again. We compare them side by side. If your landlord deducts unfairly, we generate the demand letter — included in your subscription, no extra charge.
What does the demand letter actually do?
It cites your state's exact statute, challenges every illegal deduction by name, includes the penalty multiplier your state allows, and sets a 14-day response deadline. Most landlords settle after receiving one because the alternative is small claims court — which we also walk you through.
Can I cancel?
Anytime. No questions, no hoops, no dark patterns. If you bought a house or just don't need it, cancel from your dashboard. Your photos stay accessible for 90 days after cancellation.
What's the junk fee auditor?
You enter the fees on your lease — admin fees, amenity fees, trash fees, whatever they're calling it this month — and we check each one against your state's rules. If it's illegal or unenforceable, we flag it and draft a dispute letter you can send your landlord.
How does the rent increase analyzer work?
You enter your current rent, the proposed increase, and your address. We check it against your state's rent control cap (if one exists) and compare it to market rates in your area. If it's above the legal limit, we tell you exactly what statute protects you.
What if my state doesn't have rent control?
Most states don't. But some cities do, even in states without statewide caps. We check both. And even without rent control, we still compare your increase to local market rates — so you know if your landlord is gouging you or just keeping up with the market.
$3 a month.
Or your full deposit when your landlord
keeps it.
Start protectingAlready have renters insurance? Good. Now protect your deposit too. Compare renters insurance providers if you're still shopping. Want to know how your landlord has handled past deposits? Check the landlord ratings database.