Landlord & bond disputes

US landlord-tenant law is state law, and the differences between states are large — but the structure of a security deposit fight is the same everywhere, and it is the fight renters most often win. Your landlord holds the deposit themselves; there is no government authority sitting in the middle. What protects you is a statutory deadline, usually somewhere between 14 and 60 days after the tenancy ends, for the landlord to return the money and to account in writing for anything kept.

That second obligation is the one almost nobody knows about, and it is frequently the stronger of the two. A landlord who keeps part of your deposit and sends you nothing in writing has usually broken the itemisation rule as well as the refund rule — and in a number of states, failing to account in time forfeits their right to keep any of it. You do not have to win an argument about whether a carpet stain was ordinary wear and tear if they never sent the statement at all.

The penalties are real, which is unusual in US consumer law. Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Hawaii and South Carolina are among the states providing for up to triple the amount wrongfully withheld, and many add attorney fees. Small claims court is the normal venue, filing fees are modest, and the process is built for people representing themselves. Your lease, dated move-in and move-out photos, and a written demand with proof of delivery are most of the case.

For repairs, most states recognise an implied warranty of habitability that a lease cannot waive, and many allow repair-and-deduct or rent withholding — but only if you follow the state’s procedure exactly, so check it before withholding anything. For evictions, the landlord must go through the courts: a lockout, a utility shut-off, or removing your belongings without a court order is illegal self-help in every state and is separately actionable. If you are facing eviction, local legal aid is free and makes a substantial difference to outcomes.