Handling Security Deposits

Landlords must collect, hold, use, and return security deposits in a manner that complies with state law and the terms of their lease or rental agreement.

A state-by-state breakdown of each state's security deposit limits.

Here are the statutes that govern a landlord’s collection and return of security deposits.

Landlords can't deduct the costs of repairing "ordinary wear and tear" from a security deposit. But what qualifies as ordinary wear and tear?

State rules on security deposit uses and dollar limits

Record the condition of the property to safeguard your security deposit.

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Disagreements about whether a landlord properly withheld all or part of a tenant's security deposit account for a large percentage of the landlord-tenant disputes that end up in small claims court. Problems involving security deposits often arise like this: The tenant moves out, making what the tenant

A tenant has sued you in small claims court. What should landlords expect when they're sued? And how can they prepare for court?

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