Security Deposits

A security deposit is money you give a landlord when you sign a lease, held as protection in case you damage the rental or break the lease terms. Understanding how deposits work—what landlords can charge, what they must return, and what deductions are legal—matters because the rules vary by state and locality, and disputes over deposits are common when tenants move out.

These articles explain what happens to your deposit during your tenancy, how to document the rental's condition to protect yourself, what deductions landlords can legally make, and how to recover money if a landlord wrongfully keeps part or all of your deposit.