What counts as 'normal wear and tear' I can't be charged for?

Faded paint, minor scuffs on walls, worn carpet from foot traffic, small nail holes, dingy grout. Replacement isn't your responsibility — only damage that exceeds reasonable use. We cite the case law in your state when the landlord pushes back.

Can I take this to small claims if the landlord refuses?

Yes. Most deposit cases land under your state's small-claims limit ($5K – $15K). We prepare the filing packet and walk you through it — typical small-claims case resolves in 60 days from filing.

Security deposit · Landlord disputes

Landlord kept your deposit? Most states will make them pay 2–3× back.

Every state has a deadline for landlords to itemize deductions and return the rest. Miss it, and most states owe you the full deposit + statutory damages. We file the demand under the exact statute in your state.

$300 – $5,000 typical · 2–3× the deposit when treble damages apply

FREE

first month

50% OFF

for life

+1 mo

per friend

If any of this is happening to you

We have the playbook for your exact situation.

Move-out was weeks ago and you've heard nothing

Got an itemized statement but the charges don't match the lease or the condition

Landlord billed for 'cleaning' or 'damages' on items that were already broken

Returned only part of the deposit with no real explanation

Charged for normal wear-and-tear (faded paint, carpet age, etc.)

The law on your side

State landlord-tenant statutes

Authority

CA Civ §1950.5 · NY GOL §7-108 · TX Prop §92.103

California: 21-day return deadline + up to 2× the deposit in statutory damages for bad faith. New York: 14-day deadline; missing it forfeits the landlord's right to deduct anything. Texas: 30-day deadline + $100 + 3× wrongfully withheld + attorney's fees.

The process

Three steps. The agent does the rest.

Send us the bill.

Upload the document — bill, denial letter, deposit itemization, collection notice. We read it, identify which protections in State apply to your specific facts, and tell you what we’d recover. Free triage.

Approve the plan.

We show you the theory of the case — which laws apply, which letters we’d send, what the recovery range looks like. Nothing goes out until you say go.

We do the rest.

Certified mail, deadline tracking, response parsing, escalation when ignored. You only hear from us when there’s a decision to make. Most cases resolve in under 30 days.

Questions, answered

Common questions.

Faded paint, minor scuffs on walls, worn carpet from foot traffic, small nail holes, dingy grout. Replacement isn't your responsibility — only damage that exceeds reasonable use. We cite the case law in your state when the landlord pushes back.

Still wondering? Email hello@dotandcross.io — we read every message.

Closes the day we launch

First month free.
50% off for life.

Two minutes to reserve your spot. Drop your email — we’ll handle the rest when we open.