Landlord-Tenant Law

Most states require landlords to return the deposit within a set window after you move out — commonly 14 to 30 days, though it varies — along with an itemized list of any deductions. If the landlord misses the deadline or wrongly withholds it, many states allow you to recover the deposit plus penalties.

Landlords can generally deduct for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear, but not for ordinary aging like minor scuffs or faded paint. They usually must provide an itemized statement of deductions.

Eviction typically starts with a written notice (such as pay-or-quit or cure-or-quit), and if unresolved the landlord files an eviction lawsuit, you're served and can respond, and a judge decides. A landlord cannot lawfully lock you out or remove your belongings without a court order — self-help evictions are illegal in most states.

The implied warranty of habitability requires landlords to keep rental units safe and livable — working plumbing, heat, electrical, and freedom from serious hazards. If a landlord fails to make essential repairs, tenants may have remedies like repair-and-deduct or rent withholding, but the exact rules and notice requirements vary by state.

No. In nearly every state a landlord must go through the formal court eviction process; shutting off utilities, changing the locks, or removing your possessions to force you out is an illegal "self-help" eviction that can expose the landlord to damages.