Deposits, repairs, leases
Your money, your home and what the lease says
Most of these problems start small: a charge that makes no sense, a leak that was reported twice, a rule nobody mentioned.
A good letter, sent at the right time with the right photos, settles many of them without a courtroom. When it does not, we take it as far as it needs to go.
Deposits
Asking for the deposit
Deadlines and penalties depend on the state. The order of the steps rarely does.
Show the condition
Move-out photos and the move-in checklist, if you have one, are your best evidence.
Put the request in writing
A short letter with your new address starts the clock. We can write it for you.
Challenge the charges
Normal wear is not damage. If the list doesn't add up, we say so, line by line.
Repairs
When something stays broken
Heat that fails in winter, water that will not run, mold that keeps coming back, a door that will not lock.
Stopping rent is the move that gets many renters evicted, so please talk to us before you try it. There are safer routes: a written request, a call to the town's inspector, a repair-and-deduct where the law allows it.
We help you pick the one that fits, and we keep every date.
Does this sound like your case?
If you can answer yes to any of these, a call is worth it.
Was a deposit kept or reduced?
Bring the lease, the landlord letter and any photos.
Did you report a repair more than once?
Texts, emails and dates count. Bring them, even if messy.
Is there a new rule or fee in your lease?
Bring the old lease and the new one.
Were you turned away or treated differently?
Housing discrimination has its own deadlines. Tell us what was said, and when.
Money and repairs
Can I stop paying until it is fixed?
Can I withhold rent until it is fixed?
It depends on the state and on exactly how it is done. Doing it wrong can get you evicted, so ask first.
How long can a landlord keep my deposit?
The deadline is set by state law and often by the lease. We read both against your move-out date.
What if I already moved out?
You can still ask for the deposit. Bring your forwarding address, your photos and whatever the landlord sent.
Do I need to go to court for a deposit?
Not always. A letter often settles it. If not, small-claims court is a common next step, and we can explain it.
Got a paper in your hand? Bring it, or send a photo.
A photo of the front and back is enough to start. We will tell you what it is and what the dates on it mean.
Please don't send confidential details through the web form. We'll ask for them on the phone or in person.