Security deposit deduction disputes cost landlords $1,500+ in small claims

When a tenant moves out, managers must document damage, distinguish it from normal wear and tear, get repair quotes, and return the remaining deposit within state-mandated deadlines (often 14-30 days). Most managers lack standardized move-in/move-out photo documentation, so disputes become he-said-she-said. Tenants file small claims suits, and even when the landlord wins, they spend $1,500+ in time and legal fees per case. This persists because move-in inspections are typically a paper checklist signed by both parties with no timestamped photographic evidence, and there is no widely adopted standard for what constitutes 'normal wear and tear' versus damage, giving judges broad discretion.