This calculator gives estimates for education and planning. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; for decisions about your own situation, talk to a qualified financial professional.
When you move out of a rental, the landlord must return your security deposit, minus legitimate deductions. This calculator shows the refund and any interest the landlord owes.
What can be deducted
Landlords can usually keep part of the deposit for:
- Unpaid rent or unpaid utilities in the lease;
- Damage beyond normal wear and tear: holes in walls, broken fixtures, pet damage, burns or stains;
- Cleaning needed to bring the unit back to its move-in condition, in most states;
- Costs listed in the lease, such as lost keys.
They cannot charge for normal wear and tear: faded paint, minor scuffs, worn carpet from ordinary use, small nail holes in many states.
Example
A $1,500 deposit with $250 of documented deductions returns $1,250, so the landlord keeps 16.7%.
Interest
A handful of states and cities require landlords to hold deposits in an interest-bearing account or pay interest each year. Enter the required rate and the number of months to add it to the refund. Where no rule applies, enter 0.
State rules
Security deposit law is mostly set by each state:
- Maximum deposit: some states cap it at one or two months’ rent; others set no limit.
- Deadline to return it: typically 14 to 45 days after move-out, depending on the state.
- Itemized statement: most states require a written list of deductions, often with receipts.
- Penalties: a landlord who withholds a deposit in bad faith may owe two or three times the amount in many states.
Check your state’s landlord-tenant law or attorney general website for the exact rules.
How to get your deposit back
- Take dated photos and video at move-in and move-out, and keep the move-in checklist.
- Clean thoroughly, patch small holes if the lease allows, and replace burned-out bulbs.
- Return all keys and give a forwarding address in writing.
- If the refund is late or the deductions look wrong, send a written demand letter citing your state’s law, then consider small claims court.