States covered
10 states
tenant rights
2026 data 10 states ~$51 avg
Tenant Rights — State Comparison
Legal actions available to tenants including habitability complaints, security deposit recovery, and anti-retaliation claims.
Civil-court disposition mix — Tenant Rights
Average minimum fee
$51
Across all surveyed states
Free filings
0 states
All states charge a fee
Longest waiting period
0 days
No mandatory cooling-off
How Tenant Rights Cases Typically Resolve
National disposition averages applied to tenant rights filings — settlement is the most common outcome across civil dockets.
Settlement rate 42.0%
Most common civil-case outcome
Plaintiff judgments 18.0%
Defendant
Default judgments (non-response) 12.0%
Dismissals 16.0%
How Tenant Rights Filing Costs Vary Nationally
PlainCivil tracks tenant rights filing requirements across 10 states out of 10 covered in the national dataset. Across those states, the average minimum filing fee is $51 and the average maximum is $166 — a spread that reflects both county-level surcharges and how each state funds its court system. The lowest entry cost is in New York, starting at $20. The highest ceiling is in Florida, where complex cases can reach $300.
Waiting periods and procedural timelines differ just as sharply. No state on this list imposes a notably long mandatory waiting period for tenant rights. 10 states have no mandatory waiting period, meaning the court can finalize the matter as soon as the case is ready. Actual time from filing to resolution usually exceeds the statutory minimum because of court calendars, response deadlines, service of process, and any contested issues. Venue rules, residency minimums, and grounds requirements add further state-specific complexity you should check before filing.
This page is a procedural reference, not legal advice. Tenant Rights outcomes depend heavily on case facts, local court rules, opposing parties, and the judge assigned. If your situation involves minor children, contested property, domestic violence, housing loss, criminal collateral consequences, or immigration status, contact a licensed attorney or your state legal-aid organization before filing. Every state listed here also offers fee-waiver programs for filers whose household income falls below roughly 125–200% of the federal poverty level.
State-by-State Comparison
10 states| State | Filing Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| California | $30–$240 | Details → |
| Florida | $55–$300 | Details → |
| Georgia | $50–$150 | Details → |
| Illinois | $89–$264 | Details → |
| Michigan | $30–$100 | Details → |
| New York | $20–$35 | Details → |
| North Carolina | $96–$150 | Details → |
| Ohio | $35–$100 | Details → |
| Pennsylvania | $60–$120 | Details → |
| Texas | $46–$200 | Details → |
Details by State
California
$30–$240Small claims for security deposit $30-$75. Civil harassment TRO free.
Timeline: 1-3 months depending on action
Full California details →Illinois
$89–$264Security deposit recovery in Circuit Court.
Timeline: 1-3 months
Full Illinois details →Michigan
$30–$100Security deposit in District Court Small Claims.
Timeline: 1-3 months
Full Michigan details →New York
$20–$35Housing Court for rent overcharges. Small claims for deposits.
Timeline: 1-6 months
Full New York details →North Carolina
$96–$150Security deposit in Small Claims (Magistrate).
Timeline: 1-3 months
Full North Carolina details →Ohio
$35–$100Security deposit in Municipal Court Small Claims.
Timeline: 1-3 months
Full Ohio details →Pennsylvania
$60–$120Security deposit in Magisterial District Court.
Timeline: 1-3 months
Full Pennsylvania details →Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Civil case dispositions and judgment trends · 2025
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |