These days, security deposits have gone the way of the paper lease. In their place have arisen “move-in fees,” which are cash payments of up to $1,000 demanded by landlords before tenants move in.

The lease may extend the time for the landlord to account for the deposit up to 60 days. A landlord must mail the security deposit or accounting to the tenant’s last known address.

My landlord placed my security deposit in an interest-bearing account, as required by law. The account only pays 1 percent and the bank sends the full interest earnings to my landlord each month ...