Money held by a landlord to cover damage or unpaid rent.
A security deposit is money you pay up front that the landlord holds and must return — minus lawful deductions — after you move out. State law sets the maximum amount, the return deadline (often 14–30 days), and what can be deducted. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged to you.
In many states, the landlord must return your deposit with an itemized statement within 21–30 days, or face penalties.
Main AI reads your actual contract, lease, or notice and flags exactly where terms like these put you at risk — in plain language, with the law behind it.
Analyze my document free →Deposit disputes are decided by two texts: the lease clause and the state statute — and the statute usually wins. States commonly cap deposits (often 1–2 months' rent), set return deadlines (frequently 14–45 days), require itemized deduction statements, and in some cases mandate interest. In your lease, check the deduction language ('cleaning' without 'beyond normal wear and tear' is the classic overreach), whether a non-refundable fee is being dressed up as a deposit, and the move-out notice requirements that landlords use to justify keeping funds. Document condition with dated photos at move-in and move-out — the whole dispute is evidence.
See this clause in your own document: run a free analysis — findings quote the exact language.