Rental Dispute Index
Data-driven insights into security deposit disputes across the United States.
2026 Edition | Based on aggregated, anonymized tenant dispute data
50 + DC
States covered
$1,200
Avg. deposit
$680
Avg. withheld
Coming soon
Recovery rate
Most Common Deduction Categories
Based on tenant-reported deductions. Percentages indicate how often each category appears.
State Spotlight: Deposit Law Highlights
Texas
TX
Highest penalty multiplier for bad faith
California
CA
Most tenant-protective statutes
New York
NY
NYC has additional HSTPA protections
Florida
FL
Specific bank disclosure requirements
Illinois
IL
Chicago RLTO provides strongest local protections
Maryland
MD
High penalty multiplier state
Key Findings
- Carpet-related deductions are the most disputed category nationwide
- Fee-shifting states (where landlords may pay tenant attorney fees) see higher resolution rates
- Tenants who send certified mail demand letters resolve disputes faster than those who don't
- Move-out photos are the single most effective piece of evidence in deposit disputes
- Most deposits fall in the $800-$2,000 range; average withholding is roughly 57% of the deposit
Methodology
Data is collected from anonymized, aggregated case outcomes and tenant-submitted reviews on the DepositResolve platform. All data is voluntarily provided by tenants who have opted in to data sharing. No individual tenant data is identifiable. Statistics represent platform users and may not be representative of all rental disputes nationwide. This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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