Answer a few questions about your state, timeline, and deposit. We will show the deadline, the statute, and what you may be owed before more time slips away.
Waiting helps the landlord. The filing window and your leverage both get worse when you put this off.
How it works
Your state, move-out date, deposit amount, and what your landlord did (or didn't do). Takes about 2 minutes.
We cross-reference your timeline against your state's statute. Deadlines, itemization rules, and penalty multipliers.
See exactly what you're owed and why. Upgrade to a personalized demand letter your landlord can't ignore.
Why timing matters
Your landlord's delay does not pause the legal clock. The faster you check the timeline, the faster you know whether you should push, wait, or send a formal demand.
Many states only give landlords 14 to 45 days to return the deposit or send a proper itemized statement. Missing that window can change the whole case.
Every state has a statute of limitations. Once it runs out, you lose the legal right to recover the money, even if the landlord was clearly wrong.
Receipts disappear, timelines get fuzzy, and renters put off sending the demand letter. Acting early makes it easier to prove what happened.
The fastest win is simple: check the deadline, confirm the violation, and decide whether to send the letter while the facts are still fresh.
Check My DeadlineCoverage
This page highlights the highest-traffic states to stay fast on mobile. The full law library still covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Real renters
My landlord kept my entire deposit and sent nothing in writing. GetItBack told me in 2 minutes that California law required a written itemization, and that I was owed 2× back. Sent the letter, landlord paid within a week.
I had no idea Texas had a 3× penalty. My landlord missed the 30-day deadline by two weeks. The demand letter had exact statute language. My landlord’s own property manager told me it looked like it came from an attorney.
Honestly thought I’d just lost the money. A friend posted about this on the Chicago subreddit. Found out my landlord owed me 2× and had 30 days to act. Filed small claims using their guide when he ignored the letter. Won.
Pricing
The free analysis tells you whether you have a claim. The letter matters most while you still have time left to use it.
Always free. No card required.
One-time. Instant download.
Questions
No. GetItBack provides general legal information based on publicly available state statutes. We are not a law firm, and using this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
The $19 package includes a small claims filing guide and your state's specific escalation path. Small claims court is designed to be used without a lawyer. Most security deposit cases take less than an hour in front of a judge. Your demand letter also serves as evidence of a good-faith attempt to resolve the dispute.
We'll tell you clearly and explain why, and we won't charge you anything. We'll also point you to your state's AG resources and help you understand what options might still be available to you.
Penalty rules vary by state and often depend on facts like bad faith, willfulness, notice, or local ordinances. Some states allow a multiplier on the amount wrongfully withheld, while others focus on forfeited deductions or actual damages. We show the maximum modeled recovery and flag states where the rule is more conditional.
It depends on your state. Many renters focus on the landlord's return deadline and forget the statute of limitations to sue. That is a mistake. Once the filing window expires, your claim can be gone even if the landlord clearly violated the law. The free analysis shows how much time you have left based on your state and timeline.
No account required for the free analysis. For the $19 letter, we'll ask for an email to deliver your PDF. That's it. We don't store your payment info and we don't sell your data.
Free analysis. 2 minutes. See the deadline before more time runs off the clock.
Check My Deposit - Free