Security deposit calculator
Pick your state to see its deposit limit, quoted from the statute text we have verified, and how your deposit compares.
What a landlord can actually keep from your deposit
A security deposit is your money held in trust, not the landlord's to keep by default. At move-out, most states let a landlord deduct only for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear — and many require an itemized, written statement of any deductions within a set number of days, or the landlord forfeits the right to withhold and sometimes owes a penalty.
The two things that decide most disputes are the wear-and-tear line and the return deadline. Faded paint, small nail holes, and worn carpet from ordinary use are normally wear and tear; a cracked door, a large stain, or a missing fixture is usually damage. The calculator above helps you sort likely-legitimate deductions from questionable ones so you know what to accept and what to challenge.
What this tool looks at:
- Which deductions are typically allowed (unpaid rent, real damage) versus normal wear and tear
- The deadline your state sets for returning the deposit or sending an itemized statement
- Whether an itemized, written list of deductions is legally required
- Whether a missed deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold
Good to know
Typically unpaid rent and the cost of repairing damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Routine cleaning, repainting on a normal schedule, and ordinary wear usually cannot be charged to the tenant. The exact list depends on your state and lease.
This varies by state, commonly somewhere between two weeks and about a month after you move out. Many states also require an itemized statement of any deductions within that window.
Deterioration from ordinary living: minor scuffs, small nail holes, lightly worn carpet, faded paint. Damage — holes, deep stains, broken fixtures, pet destruction — is different and can be deducted.
You can send a written demand that cites the deadline and itemization rules and states the amount owed. Main AI can build that demand letter from your move-out details; this tool is informational and not legal advice.
This tool is general information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Rules vary by state and change over time; verify anything important against your state’s current rules or a qualified professional.