Deposits and leases
Your money, your lease, your things
Most fights between a tenant and a landlord come down to one of three things: a deposit that didn't come back, a lease that says something unexpected, or belongings left behind.
Send us the lease, your move-in and move-out photos, and anything the landlord wrote. We tell you what the landlord owes, what you owe, and what a letter or a court filing is likely to do.
We help with
Deposits held after move-out
Rent increases and renewals
Breaking a lease early
Lockouts and belongings left behind
Roommates and who is on the lease
Letters first
Three letters that settle more than you would expect
Court is the last step, not the first. A clear letter often does the work.
The deposit demand
It names the amount, the date you moved out and the rule that applies. It starts a clock, and it shows the landlord you know your rights.
The lease review
Before you sign or renew, we read for fees, automatic renewals and who pays for what, and we mark what to ask to change.
The belongings letter
If you were locked out or your things were left behind, a short letter asks for access or return and records that you asked.
Common questions
Deposits, leases and lockouts, answered
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit?
It depends on where you live and on what your lease says, so we check both. Most places set a deadline and require the landlord to explain any deductions in writing. Send us your move-out date and any letter you received.
Can a landlord keep my deposit for normal wear?
Ordinary wear from living in a home, like faded paint or worn carpet, is generally not something a landlord can charge for. Damage beyond that can be. Photos from move-in and move-out matter more than anything else.
I'm locked out tonight. What do I do?
If you are in danger, call 911. Otherwise take photos, write down the time, and ask the landlord in writing to let you in. Then call us the next business day. A landlord generally cannot push you out by changing the locks without going to court.
Have the lease handy?
Tell us in a few lines what happened. We will ask you to bring the lease when we talk.