{"id":369252,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/security-deposit-laws-can-help-get-your-deposit-back.html"},"modified":"2023-11-29T18:33:29","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T23:33:29","slug":"security-deposit-laws-can-help-get-your-deposit-back","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/security-deposit-laws-can-help-get-your-deposit-back.html","title":{"rendered":"Security Deposit Laws Can Help Get Your Deposit Back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Security Deposit Laws Can Help Get Your Deposit Back<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Disputes over security deposits are common between tenants and landlords at the end of a lease term. The renter often pays a security deposit at the beginning of the lease or rental period. The security deposit is often equal to one month’s rent. Landlords must return a security deposit as required by their state’s laws at the end of a tenancy, minus the cost of repairs and cleaning.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores how security deposit laws can help tenants get their security deposits returned in non-eviction scenarios.<\/p>\r\n

What Is a Security Deposit?<\/h2>\r\n

A security deposit<\/a> is money a landlord collects to guard against any damage to the rental property or for nonpayment of rent. Security deposits incentivize tenants to keep the rental unit in good condition. These deposits are not synonymous with last month’s rent<\/a>. The last month’s rent should cover only the tenant’s last month. Landlords cannot make any deductions from the last month’s rent.<\/p>\r\n

Many states require the landlord or property manager to put the tenant’s security deposit in an interest-bearing account. The landlord must pay any interest collected to the tenant at the end of the lease.<\/p>\r\n

State laws often regulate different aspects of a tenant’s security deposit, including the following:<\/p>\r\n