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Covers all 50 states + DC

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Your landlord kept your security deposit. We know your state's exact return deadline, which deductions are illegal, and we generate a demand letter citing the specific statutes they violated.

Check my rights free How it works
Quick rights check

Select your state to see deposit return deadlines, penalty multipliers, and small claims limits.

26%of renters lose part of their deposit
$847average illegal deduction
50states + DC in our law engine
2–3×penalty in most states
The problem

Landlords keep
deposits because
tenants don't know
the statute.

Common illegal deductions
Carpet replacement (8 yr old carpet)
Exceeds useful life — not deductible in 47 states
Full repaint after 3-year tenancy
Normal depreciation — expected life exceeded
Pre-existing water stain
Violates move-in condition report requirements
"Deep cleaning" fee — $350
Illegal unless lease specifies AND unit left unsanitary
Nail holes from hanging pictures
Normal use — not deductible per statute
How it works

Three steps. Real statutes.No lawyer needed.

1

Enter your state and move-out date

We instantly calculate your state's return deadline and tell you whether it has already passed — which affects your penalty options.

2

List what your landlord deducted

Enter each deduction line by line. DepositHawk flags illegal charges (normal wear and tear, carpet age, pre-existing damage) and calculates the penalty multiplier.

3

Download your demand letter

Get a state-specific letter citing the exact statute your landlord violated, the full amount demanded including penalties, and a 14-day response deadline.

Sample output

See What Your
Letter Looks Like

Every letter cites your state's exact statutes and calculates the full penalty amount.

TX
Texas Prop. Code § 92.103
30-day return deadline. Up to 3x deposit + $100 penalty.
CA
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
21-day return deadline. Up to 2x deposit penalty.
NY
N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108
14-day return deadline. Actual damages awarded.
Check My Rights Free
April 5, 2026
 
Greenfield Property Management
 
 
Re: Security Deposit Demand — 742 Oak Street, Apt 4B, Austin, TX
Tenant: Jane Martinez
Move-Out Date: February 1, 2026
Your letter generates in seconds
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Pricing

Cheaper than onehour with a lawyer.

Security deposit attorneys charge $150–$400/hour. Most cases settle after a demand letter. You don't need a lawyer — you need the right letter.

Capability
DepositHawk
$0–$49
Attorney
$150–400/hr
Do it yourself
$0
State-specific law lookup—
Statute citations in letter—
Penalty multiplier calculation—
Demand letter generation—
Ready in minutes——
Small claims filing guide—
Evidence checklist—
Cost under $50—
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Your data is never shared
50-state coverage
Rights Check
Free
  • State deadline lookup
  • Deduction legality checker
  • Rights summary
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Most popular
Demand Letter
$19one-time
  • State-specific demand letter
  • Itemized deduction challenge
  • Deadline enforcement
  • PDF download
Check My Rights First
Full Case
$49one-time
  • Everything in Demand Letter
  • Small claims filing guide
  • Evidence checklist
  • Photo documentation template
  • Judge-ready summary packet
Check My Rights First
View security deposit laws for all 50 states →
Frequently asked

Your landlord
had a deadline.
So do you.

Every day past your state's filing deadline reduces what you can recover. The rights check takes 30 seconds.

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