Security Deposit Dispute Attorney
Landlord won't return your deposit? I'll draft a demand letter citing your state's deposit laws and calculate penalties, sent with the supporting record by certified mail and email.
Landlord won't return your deposit? I'll draft a demand letter citing your state's deposit laws and calculate penalties, sent with the supporting record by certified mail and email.
Acceptance is subject to a conflict check, jurisdiction review and preliminary merits review.
Court complaint drafting, filing, service of process and appearances as counsel are excluded. Multi-round written negotiation and settlement-document drafting require a separate agreed scope.
For a payment-processor hold only, I may include one unfiled arbitration-demand draft for one processor and one dispute within the agreed package fee, if I determine after review that it is warranted and include it in the written scope. The forum follows the applicable agreement; AAA is not automatic.
Request this package - $2,500 minimumIf the landlord responds: negotiation after response can be scoped separately if needed. For serious disputes, the Written Negotiation Phase is $3,000 flat.
Your lease, move-out date, deposit amount, and any communications with your landlord.
I research your state's deposit laws and calculate the maximum penalties you're owed.
Attorney demand letter sent via USPS certified mail with signature requested, plus email if available.
I review the first substantive response with a short recommendation on next steps, and send one follow-up at the stated deadline if there is no response. Court complaint drafting is not included.
Most states impose penalties for wrongfully withheld deposits. Here's what you could recover:
Don't see your state? I research the applicable law for every case. Use the free calculator to check your state's rules.
Most landlords respond within 14 days of receiving an attorney demand letter.
Start Your Demand LetterHire me when:
DIY may work when:
Court complaint drafting, filing, service of process and appearances as counsel are excluded. Multi-round written negotiation and settlement-document drafting require a separate agreed scope.
No. Normal wear and tear is expected after occupancy. Landlords cannot charge for faded paint, worn carpet (beyond its useful life), or minor scuffs. They can only deduct for damage beyond normal use or unpaid rent.
If the deductions are improper (charging for normal wear and tear, inflated amounts, or items not actually damaged), you can still dispute them. I'll analyze the statement and identify which deductions violate your state's law.
Yes, in most states. Statutory penalties for bad faith withholding can double or triple your recovery. Some states also allow attorney fees. My demand letter calculates the maximum you're entitled to under your state's law.
The law of the state where the rental property is located typically applies. I send demand letters nationwide via USPS certified mail (signature requested). If you need to file in small claims, it would usually be in the county where the property is located, note that I'm CA-licensed, so for filing outside California I refer you to local counsel.
I typically send the demand letter within 3-5 business days of receiving your documents. Most landlords respond within 14 days of receiving the letter. If they don't respond, I send one follow-up at the stated deadline, and small claims remains open to you.