Can a landlord charge you for painting?
Usually no — repainting for ordinary fading is normal wear and tear. Here's when a painting charge is and isn't legal.
Read the article →Security deposit help
Clear answers for renters who are trying to figure out what happened to their money
Start with the question that brought you here: painting, cleaning, normal wear and tear, a missed deadline, a missing itemized list, or what a demand letter actually does.
You do not need to understand the whole legal process before you can understand one part of your situation. These articles are here to help you get oriented in plain English.
Can a landlord charge you for cleaning?
Only if you left it dirtier than at move-in — routine turnover cleaning is the landlord's cost. See when cleaning charges hold up, when they don't, and what evidence matters.
Read the article →What counts as normal wear and tear in a rental?
The line between ordinary aging, which is not chargeable, and real damage, which may be — plus what to look for on your landlord's deduction list.
Read the article →How long does a landlord have to return your deposit?
Deadlines vary by state — and a missed deadline can be one of the strongest facts in your favor. See the deadline and statute for all 50 states.
See deadlines by state →What happens if my landlord doesn't send an itemized list?
In many states, a landlord who misses the deadline to itemize deductions can lose the right to keep some or all of the deposit. See why the timing may matter as much as the deductions themselves.
Read the article →What is a security deposit demand letter?
It is more than a complaint in writing. A well-built demand can create settlement pressure, document your position, and sometimes resolve the dispute without court.
Read the article →More articles are on the way — focused on the questions tenants actually face when a deposit is withheld.
One issue is only one part of a case
Reading about a deduction can tell you whether something looks wrong. It cannot tell you how the whole case fits together.
Your deadline, itemized statement, lease, move-in condition, move-out condition, other deductions, evidence, and state rules can all change the picture.
If you want a broader look, the free case assessment reviews the main facts of your situation and gives you a preliminary read on whether there may be something worth pursuing.
The assessment takes about 5–10 minutes. Not ready for that? The free intake form lets you start by simply getting organized.
Already know you want to act?
The articles explain the issues. The Demand Letter Companion helps you act on them.
If you are ready to move beyond research, the Demand Letter Companion reads your lease, checks your state's deposit rules, works out what you can ask for, and writes a demand letter you approve before anything is sent.