Receipts Requirement

Full Definition

Several states require that a landlord's itemized deduction statement be accompanied by actual receipts, paid invoices, or third-party repair estimates for each deduction claimed. California requires receipts for all deductions over $125 if the landlord uses a contractor, though it allows a 'good faith estimate' if work was not complete by the deadline. New Hampshire, Maryland, and several other states similarly require supporting documentation. Even in states without an explicit receipts requirement, courts routinely give little weight to deductions unsupported by any documentation, particularly if the landlord is making repairs themselves and claiming labor at an unsubstantiated rate. The practical effect is that landlords who claim large deductions without documentation face skepticism from small claims judges and risk having the deductions disallowed entirely. Tenants should specifically request copies of all receipts and invoices when disputing a deposit deduction.