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A deposit kept, repairs ignored, or rent and fees in dispute — your landlord doesn't get the last word. Tell Sophie what happened, about six minutes, and walk away with a demand letter built for your state.
Sophie flagged 2 questionable deductions and drafted your demand.
Most small-claims cases against a landlord fall into one of these. Security deposits are the most common and best-documented — so that’s where this guide goes deep.
Kept without cause, missing an itemized list, or returned past the deadline. The most common landlord–tenant claim, and usually the best-documented.
Conditions left unrepaired, or money you spent fixing what the landlord was responsible for.
Illegal or undisclosed fees, overcharged rent, or charges your lease never allowed.
Security-deposit law is unusually friendly to tenants. Here's the shape of it everywhere; the exact numbers live on your state's page.
Most states give a landlord 14–30 days to return your deposit or send an itemized list. Miss it, and many states bar them from keeping a cent.
Keep any of your money and nearly every state requires an itemized statement, with receipts. No list, no lawful deduction.
Faded paint, worn carpet, small nail holes — ordinary wear and tear can't be charged to you. Only real damage and unpaid rent.
Withhold in bad faith and many states let you recover two or three times the amount kept, plus court costs. The penalty depends on your state.
Each state sets its own deadline, penalties, and small-claims limit — mapped, sourced, and ready.
One path, six steps. You tell the story once; Squabble carries it the rest of the way — and you review everything before anything is filed.
You tell Sophie what happened, in plain words. About six minutes.
Your demand letter — and any court papers — are prepared and Triple-Checked.
Squabble files with the right court, or hands you a file-ready packet.
The other side is formally notified, the way your court requires.
You walk in prepared, evidence organized, case in order.
You reach a resolution — by settlement or judgment.
If any of these is your story, these are exactly the disputes Squabble is built for.
They kept your money and never sent the breakdown the law requires.
The return window came and went in silence.
“Repainting” and “cleaning” fees for ordinary, lived-in wear.
Calls and emails about your deposit go unanswered.
Move-in fees, “admin” charges, or rent your lease never allowed.
The full deposit simply never came back.
We'd rather you walk in clear-eyed. Squabble isn't a law firm and doesn't give legal advice — here's the honest scope.
Created by a practicing attorney and law professor, on patented technology (U.S. 11,328,375 B2) — not a generic form mill.
Every document is checked for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy against your court's requirements before it goes anywhere.
Your custom demand letter is free, and you review and attest to every document before anything is filed.
Wherever you are right now — you just want them to respond, or you’re ready to file today — there’s a level that fits. Upgrade anytime, without starting over.
Prepared from the facts you gave Sophie — download, sign, and send.
A dedicated agent prepares, files, and stays with your case the whole way — evidence, hearings, and every step through to Resolved.
Squabble Triple-Checks, prepares, and files your claim — E-Service included.
Court-ready documents you file yourself — a demand backed by the paperwork.
It depends on your state, but most set a deadline of 14 to 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions. Your state page has the exact number and the statute behind it.
That usually helps you. In most states a landlord who fails to provide a timely itemized statement loses the right to keep any of the deposit — even for real damage.
Often, yes. Many states let you recover a multiple of the amount wrongfully withheld — sometimes two or three times — plus court costs, when a landlord acts in bad faith. The exact penalty and any statutory interest the court allows depend on your state.
No. Small claims court is built for people representing themselves. Squabble prepares your demand letter and, if you choose, your court-ready documents, and identifies the right court. You review everything before anything is filed.
Your custom demand letter is free. To go further, Credible Threat is $128, File Now is $238, and a Dedicated Case Agent is $398. You only pay if you decide to escalate.
That's what filing is for. With File Now or a Dedicated Case Agent, Squabble prepares and files your case and coordinates formal notice, so silence stops being an option.
Often, yes. If your landlord ignored a serious repair or habitability issue and you were harmed — or you paid out of pocket to fix what they were responsible for — that can be a small-claims case. The rules vary by state; your state page has the specifics.
Sometimes. Many states limit what landlords can charge and bar certain fees outright. If you were charged something your lease or state law doesn’t allow, you may be able to recover it. Check your state page for the local rules.
Yes — Squabble covers all 50 states, with landlord-tenant rules and the right court mapped for each. Find yours in the state list above.
Modern civil recourse
Small-claims court exists so ordinary people can be heard without a lawyer or a fortune. Over time it filled up with forms, deadlines, and procedure most were never shown — and too many quietly gave up what they were owed.
Squabble puts it back within reach. Tell Sophie what happened, and your demand letter, court-ready paperwork, filing, and follow-through are prepared and moving — in about six minutes, off your shoulders.
Free to start — your Custom Demand Letter is free.
