Helping renters get their deposits back

Helping renters get their deposits back

If your landlord kept money they shouldn’t have, TinyGavel guides you through the steps to challenge it and get back what you’re owed.

If your landlord kept money they shouldn’t have, TinyGavel guides you through the steps to challenge it and get back what you’re owed.

Start your Claim

Start your Claim

Start your Claim

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Join tenants across the US fighting for their rights with TinyGavel.

Start your Claim

Start your Claim

Start your Claim

About us

About us

About us

Most renters aren’t told their rights.
TinyGavel helps you understand them.

Most renters aren’t told their rights.
TinyGavel helps you understand them.

Most renters aren’t told their rights.
TinyGavel helps you understand them.

39%

39%

of renters don’t expect to receive their full security deposit back.

39%

39%

of renters don’t expect to receive their full security deposit back.

39%

39%

of renters don’t expect to receive their full security deposit back.

0M

0M

people in the US face some kind of housing-related issue each year.

0M

0M

people in the US face some kind of housing-related issue each year.

0M

0M

people in the US face some kind of housing-related issue each year.

71%

71%

of housing lawyers say improper or unfair deductions happen regularly.

71%

71%

of housing lawyers say improper or unfair deductions happen regularly.

71%

71%

of housing lawyers say improper or unfair deductions happen regularly.

What counts as an unfair deduction?

What counts as an unfair deduction?

Normal wear and tear

Landlords can’t charge you for everyday use of a home. Things like worn carpets, faded paint, or minor scuffs are expected over time and aren’t valid reasons to deduct from your deposit.

Missing or vague statements

If your landlord hasn’t provided a clear, itemised breakdown of deductions, or the explanation is vague, that’s often not compliant. You’re entitled to know exactly what you’re being charged for and why.

Charges without receipts

Landlords usually need proof. If deductions are claimed without invoices, receipts, or evidence of actual costs, those charges may be unenforceable.

Repairs charged but never completed

You shouldn’t pay for work that was never done. If repairs were claimed but not carried out, or the cost doesn’t match the work completed, that deduction may be unfair.

Pre-existing defects

Damage that existed before you moved in isn’t your responsibility. If issues were noted in the check-in report, photos, or messages, landlords can’t later deduct for them.

Normal wear and tear

Landlords can’t charge you for everyday use of a home. Things like worn carpets, faded paint, or minor scuffs are expected over time and aren’t valid reasons to deduct from your deposit.

Missing or vague statements

If your landlord hasn’t provided a clear, itemised breakdown of deductions, or the explanation is vague, that’s often not compliant. You’re entitled to know exactly what you’re being charged for and why.

Charges without receipts

Landlords usually need proof. If deductions are claimed without invoices, receipts, or evidence of actual costs, those charges may be unenforceable.

Repairs charged but never completed

You shouldn’t pay for work that was never done. If repairs were claimed but not carried out, or the cost doesn’t match the work completed, that deduction may be unfair.

Pre-existing defects

Damage that existed before you moved in isn’t your responsibility. If issues were noted in the check-in report, photos, or messages, landlords can’t later deduct for them.

Normal wear and tear

Landlords can’t charge you for everyday use of a home. Things like worn carpets, faded paint, or minor scuffs are expected over time and aren’t valid reasons to deduct from your deposit.

Missing or vague statements

If your landlord hasn’t provided a clear, itemised breakdown of deductions, or the explanation is vague, that’s often not compliant. You’re entitled to know exactly what you’re being charged for and why.

Charges without receipts

Landlords usually need proof. If deductions are claimed without invoices, receipts, or evidence of actual costs, those charges may be unenforceable.

Repairs charged but never completed

You shouldn’t pay for work that was never done. If repairs were claimed but not carried out, or the cost doesn’t match the work completed, that deduction may be unfair.

Pre-existing defects

Damage that existed before you moved in isn’t your responsibility. If issues were noted in the check-in report, photos, or messages, landlords can’t later deduct for them.

What counts as an unfair deduction?

TinyGavel Approach

TinyGavel Approach

TinyGavel Approach

What We Do

What We Do

What We Do

TinyGavel guides you through the process step by step, helping you understand your options and move toward a fair outcome with confidence.

Demand Letter Preparation

We help you send a clear, formal request for your deposit back - tailored to your jurisdiction. Many cases resolve quickly once the landlord receives the right kind of notice.

Demand Letter Preparation

We help you send a clear, formal request for your deposit back - tailored to your jurisdiction. Many cases resolve quickly once the landlord receives the right kind of notice.

Demand Letter Preparation

We help you send a clear, formal request for your deposit back - tailored to your jurisdiction. Many cases resolve quickly once the landlord receives the right kind of notice.

Small Claims Guidance

If the issue isn’t resolved, we guide you through the small claims process and help you prepare everything you need to move forward with confidence.

Small Claims Guidance

If the issue isn’t resolved, we guide you through the small claims process and help you prepare everything you need to move forward with confidence.

Small Claims Guidance

If the issue isn’t resolved, we guide you through the small claims process and help you prepare everything you need to move forward with confidence.

Settlement Support

When a conversation or negotiation is needed, we help you work toward a fair, timely resolution so you can close the chapter and get back what you’re owed.

Settlement Support

When a conversation or negotiation is needed, we help you work toward a fair, timely resolution so you can close the chapter and get back what you’re owed.

Settlement Support

When a conversation or negotiation is needed, we help you work toward a fair, timely resolution so you can close the chapter and get back what you’re owed.

Simple, fair pricing. No surprises. No stress.

Get the help you need to recover your deposit for one small upfront fee, and only pay more if you win.

1

$50 Demand Letter

A formal demand letter sent to your landlord via Certified Mail ®, return receipt requested. Often enough to resolve most disputes quickly.

2

Small Claims Lawsuit

If the demand letter doesn't do the trick, we can help you sue your landlord in small claims court. We'll take care of the paperwork so you can focus on getting your deposit back.

Pricing

Pricing

Demand Letter

$50

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

File For Me

$100

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

TinyGavel File and serve the defendant

Expert Help

$200

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

TinyGavel File and serve the defendant

Expert support from case specialists

Most Popular

Demand Letter

$50

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

File For Me

$100

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

TinyGavel File and serve the defendant

Expert Help

$200

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

TinyGavel File and serve the defendant

Expert support from case specialists

Most Popular

Demand Letter

$50

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

File For Me

$100

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

TinyGavel File and serve the defendant

Expert Help

$200

$120

+ Court costs

Start your claim

Demand Letter + Paperwork

TinyGavel File and serve the defendant

Expert support from case specialists

Most Popular

What counts as an unfair deduction?

Why TinyGavel?

TinyGavel exists to help people resolve everyday legal problems without confusion, intimidation, or unnecessary cost.

Built for real-world disputes

Attorney-guided, hassle-free claims

Designed to save time, stress, and guesswork

FAQs

FAQs

FAQs

Answering your questions

Answering your questions

Answering your questions

Start your claim

Start your claim

Start your claim

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

Yes, there’s a small upfront fee of $5 for your demand letter. If your case needs to go further and we help you sue, we then charge 10% of whatever we recover for you. If you don’t recover any money, you don’t pay that 10%.

How long does the process take?

Most cases are reviewed within a few days, and many renters see results in 2–4 weeks depending on landlord response times.

What happens after I submit my story?

You’ll get a quick follow-up from our team to verify details and collect any needed documents. From there, we take over — preparing filings, reaching out to your landlord, and updating you along the way.

Is this a real legal service?

TinyGavel partners with tenant-rights attorneys and compliance experts to make the legal process fast, fair, and accessible to everyone. If you live in Utah, TinyGavel collaborates with a licensed attorney that represents you against your landlord. If you live in any other state, we can still help - but you will not be represented by an attorney.

Are there any legal risks for me?

No. We handle all filings and communication under tenant protection laws, so there’s no legal risk to you. You’re simply exercising your rights — and we only move forward with claims that are valid and enforceable.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

Yes, there’s a small upfront fee of $5 for your demand letter. If your case needs to go further and we help you sue, we then charge 10% of whatever we recover for you. If you don’t recover any money, you don’t pay that 10%.

How long does the process take?

Most cases are reviewed within a few days, and many renters see results in 2–4 weeks depending on landlord response times.

What happens after I submit my story?

You’ll get a quick follow-up from our team to verify details and collect any needed documents. From there, we take over — preparing filings, reaching out to your landlord, and updating you along the way.

Is this a real legal service?

TinyGavel partners with tenant-rights attorneys and compliance experts to make the legal process fast, fair, and accessible to everyone. If you live in Utah, TinyGavel collaborates with a licensed attorney that represents you against your landlord. If you live in any other state, we can still help - but you will not be represented by an attorney.

Are there any legal risks for me?

No. We handle all filings and communication under tenant protection laws, so there’s no legal risk to you. You’re simply exercising your rights — and we only move forward with claims that are valid and enforceable.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

Yes, there’s a small upfront fee of $5 for your demand letter. If your case needs to go further and we help you sue, we then charge 10% of whatever we recover for you. If you don’t recover any money, you don’t pay that 10%.

How long does the process take?

Most cases are reviewed within a few days, and many renters see results in 2–4 weeks depending on landlord response times.

What happens after I submit my story?

You’ll get a quick follow-up from our team to verify details and collect any needed documents. From there, we take over — preparing filings, reaching out to your landlord, and updating you along the way.

Is this a real legal service?

TinyGavel partners with tenant-rights attorneys and compliance experts to make the legal process fast, fair, and accessible to everyone. If you live in Utah, TinyGavel collaborates with a licensed attorney that represents you against your landlord. If you live in any other state, we can still help - but you will not be represented by an attorney.

Are there any legal risks for me?

No. We handle all filings and communication under tenant protection laws, so there’s no legal risk to you. You’re simply exercising your rights — and we only move forward with claims that are valid and enforceable.

Let us help you get your deposit back

Start your Claim

Start your Claim

Helping claimants - one case at a time.

Helping claimants - one case at a time.

Helping claimants - one case at a time.

TinyGavel is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.


TinyGavel is a technology platform that collaborates with independent licensed attorneys. Visiting this website, submitting information, or communicating with TinyGavel does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any information you provide before signing an engagement letter with an attorney is not confidential and is not protected by attorney-client privilege.


TinyGavel collaborates with independent licensed attorneys who practice in specific jurisdictions. If you choose to work with one of these attorneys and sign an engagement letter with them, that attorney—not TinyGavel—will represent you. An attorney-client relationship exists only between you and the attorney you engage, and only after you both sign an engagement letter.


Neither TinyGavel nor any collaborating attorney guarantees any specific outcome or result in your legal matter. This site may be attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. Attorneys are licensed to practice only in specific states and jurisdictions. The attorneys available through TinyGavel may not be licensed in your state or able to assist with your particular legal issue.