Security deposit disputes

Get your deposit back, on paper, in court.

Withheld? Itemised statement missing? Deductions without receipts? CourtRoom AI runs an AI courtroom simulation of your specific facts so you walk in knowing the strongest argument.

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Cites real court opinions — never invented All 50 states + DC + PR Quality-failed runs auto-refund
Common scenarios

Security deposit disputes, prepared for small claims

Statutory deadline missed

Most states require return + itemisation within 14–30 days. If your landlord blew the deadline, the simulation tells you how strong that procedural claim is in court.

Undocumented deductions

“Repainting” and “cleaning” without receipts is a soft case for them, a strong one for you. We pressure-test how a judge typically reads this.

Damage vs. normal wear

Carpet wear after 2 years, scuffs on baseboards, faded paint — these are usually wear, not damage. The simulation surfaces the line.

Move-in inspection missing

If they never did one, deductions for pre-existing conditions usually fall apart. The simulation shows you how to argue this.

Evidence that wins

What to bring to the simulation

Move-in inspection form

Original signed copy. Even photos of pre-existing damage at move-in.

Move-out photos

Timestamped, every room, every surface. The more the better.

Deposit payment record

Bank statement, check copy, anything that proves the original amount.

Landlord communication

Emails, texts, voicemails. Especially anything where they admit the condition or the deadline.

FAQ

Security deposits, answered

How long does my landlord have to return my deposit?
Varies by state — commonly 14, 21, or 30 days from when you return the keys. Some states require an itemised statement even when nothing is withheld. Check your state's residential landlord-tenant statute or your lease.
Can my landlord deduct for cleaning if the unit was clean?
Generally only for cleaning beyond normal wear. They typically need receipts or invoices. The simulation tests whether their deductions hold up under that standard.
What if I never got an itemised statement?
Most jurisdictions treat the failure to itemise as a strong factor against the landlord — sometimes triggering double or treble damages. CourtRoom AI flags this if your facts include it.
Can I sue for double or treble damages?
Some states allow it for bad-faith or procedural failures by the landlord. Whether your case qualifies depends on your jurisdiction. CourtRoom AI surfaces this as an option to explore with a lawyer; it does not guarantee the outcome.
Is mediation worth trying first?
Often yes — small claims courts increasingly require or strongly encourage mediation. Walking in with a structured preparation report makes you a faster, more credible negotiator.
Related case types
Landlord-Tenant DisputesSmall Claims CourtRefund & Consumer Disputes
Important
State law varies. CourtRoom AI does not provide legal advice and does not replace a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Verify your state's landlord-tenant statute before relying on any reference.
What you unlock

A full Case Hub — not just a one-off answer

The hearing is just the start. Everything below is included with any paid run and stays in your account.

Preparation report
Strengths, weak points, evidence gaps, a timeline, and next steps — citing real court opinions for your state, never invented.
Evidence Vault
Upload your contracts, receipts, photos, and messages — the AI argues against your real evidence, not a template.
Case Assistant
Ask follow-up questions about YOUR case, answered from your own report and evidence.
Case Timeline
Your incident-to-court-date chronology, with the evidence placed on it.
Transcript + replay
Re-watch and share the full hearing; export the transcript.
Multiple re-runs
Every tier includes several runs — refine the facts and run it again.
Nearby lawyers
Discover local attorneys when you're ready to take it further.
Resources
Verified legal-aid and self-help links for your jurisdiction.

“Why not just use a chatbot?”

Fair question. Here’s what a general AI chat can’t do for a real dispute:

✓ Opposing counsel argues against you
A full multi-agent hearing pressure-tests your case from the other side. A general chatbot mostly agrees with you.
✓ Real citations, never invented
References real court opinions (via CourtListener) and your state's statutes. General chatbots are known to hallucinate case law.
✓ Built on your actual evidence
You upload your real documents and it reasons over them — not a generic, one-off answer.
✓ A case workspace that remembers
Report, evidence, timeline, and a case-aware assistant stay in one place — not a chat you lose.

CourtRoom AI is preparation and education only — not legal advice, and not a substitute for a licensed attorney.

Run the security deposit demo first.

Then run YOUR case with your evidence.

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CourtRoom AI is for legal preparation and education only. It is not legal advice and does not replace a licensed attorney.