Know Your Legal Rights — Plain English, All 50 States
State-by-state guides to your rights as a tenant, employee, and consumer in the US. Every article cites the actual law so you can verify it yourself — no lawyer required.
Browse by Topic
- Tenant RightsSecurity deposits, eviction notices, landlord entry, and habitability — all 50 states.
- Small Claims CourtState-by-state limits, filing fees, and step-by-step instructions to sue without a lawyer.
- Employment & Wage RightsMinimum wage, overtime, wage theft, and non-compete agreements by state.
- Landlord RetaliationWhat counts as retaliation, how to document it, and how to fight back — every state.
- Debt Collection RightsFDCPA protections, state laws, and how to stop illegal collection calls.
- Consumer ProtectionChargebacks, false advertising, FTC rights, and your state's consumer protection laws.
- Insurance Claim DenialWhat to do when your claim is denied — health, auto, homeowners, and life insurance.
- Lemon LawHow to get a refund or replacement for a defective vehicle under your state's lemon law.
Free Tools & Templates
- Security Deposit CalculatorCalculate the maximum your landlord can charge and the deadline to return it.
- Security Deposit Demand LetterFree template to demand your deposit back before filing in small claims court.
- Small Claims Court ChecklistEverything you need to prepare before you file — evidence, forms, and what to say.
- Cease & Desist Letter (Debt Collectors)Ask a debt collector in writing to stop contacting you under the FDCPA. It does not cancel the debt or stop a lawsuit.
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Recently Published
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Alabama Security Deposit Laws: 60-Day Return Under URLTA
Updated:Alabama landlords must return deposits within 60 days under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Learn the rules under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201.
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Alaska Security Deposit Laws: 2 Months Plus Pet Allowance, Fast Refunds
Updated:Alaska landlords must return deposits within 14 days (30 days if damages are deducted or no proper notice was given) with an itemized statement. Learn the 2-month cap and pet rules under Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070.
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Arizona Security Deposit Laws: 14-Day Return Deadline After Move-Out
Updated:Arizona landlords must return security deposits within 14 days of move-out. Learn the deposit limits, allowable deductions, and your remedies under Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1321.
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Arkansas Security Deposit Laws: 60-Day Return Window Without Statutory Cap
Updated:Arkansas landlords must return security deposits within 60 days with an itemized statement. Learn damage deductions and tenant remedies under Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-16-304 to 18-16-306.
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California Security Deposit Laws: What Landlords Can and Can't Do
Updated:California limits security deposits to 1 month's rent (unfurnished) and requires return within 21 days. Learn your full rights under California Civil Code § 1950.5.
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Colorado Security Deposit Laws: 30-Day Return Deadline and Triple Damages
Updated:Colorado landlords must return security deposits within 30 days (or up to 60 days if lease specifies). Wrongful withholding can result in triple damages. Learn your rights under CRS § 38-12-103.
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Connecticut Security Deposit Laws: Interest Required and 2-Month Cap
Updated:Connecticut landlords must pay interest on security deposits and return them within 21 days. Learn the rules under C.G.S. § 47a-21.
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Delaware Security Deposit Laws: 1-Month Cap After Year One
Updated:Delaware landlords must return deposits within 20 days with an itemized statement. Wrongful withholding results in double the amount withheld under 25 Del. Code § 5514.