logo
main image

Security Deposit Demand Letter (Free Template)

Camila Lopez - Security Deposits - September 5, 2024

Ready to write a demand letter to your landlord? Use our free demand letter creator.

Start Demand Letter

    Contents

Landlords in most states are given a time frame by which they must return a tenant’s security deposit. Additionally, under these security deposit laws, landlords are generally also required to account for any deductions they make from a tenant’s security deposit.

If your landlord is not complying with your state’s security deposit laws consider sending your landlord a security deposit demand letter.  

Did you know we have a free tool powered by AI that helps you create a demand letter? Check out our demand letter tool.

State-by-State Chart of Security Deposit Deadlines 
Link icon

State 

Deadline to Return Security Deposit 

State Law 

Alabama

60 Days 

§ 35-9A-201

Alaska

14 Days

AS 34.03.070

Arizona

14 Days 

§ 33-1321

Arkansas

60 Days

§ 18-16-305

California

21 Days

Civil Code §1950.5

Colorado

30 Days*

§ 38-12-103; § 38-12-104

Connecticut

30 Days

§ 47a-21

Delaware

20 Days

§ 5514

Florida

15 Days

§ 83.49

Georgia

30 Days

§ 44-7-34

Hawaii

14 Days

§ 521-44

Idaho

21 Days*

§ 521-44

Illinois

45 Days

765 ILCS 710/1

Indiana

45 Days

§ 32-31-3-12

Iowa

30 Days

§ 562A.12

Kansas

30 Days

§ 58-2550

Kentucky

30 Days*

§ 383.580

Louisiana

1 Month

§ 9:3251

Maine

30 Days*

§ 6033

Maryland

45 Days

§ 8–203

Massachusetts

30 Days

Chapter 186, §15B

Michigan

30 Days

§ 554.609

Minnesota

21 Days

§ 504B.178

Mississippi

45 Days

§ 89-8-21(3)

Missouri

30 Days

§ 535.300

Montana

10 Days

§ 70-25-202

Nebraska

14 Days

§ 76-1416

Nevada

30 Days

NRS 118A.242

New Hampshire

30 Days

RSA 540-A:7

New Jersey

30 Days*

§ 46:8-21.1

New Mexico

30 Days

§ 47-8-18

New York

14 Days

§ 7-108(1-a)(e) 

North Carolina

30 Days*

§ 42-52

North Dakota

30 Days

§ 47-16-07.1

Ohio

30 Days

§ 5321.16

Oklahoma

45 Days

§ 41-115

Oregon

31 Days

§ 90.300

Pennsylvania

30 Days

§ 250.512

Rhode Island

20 Days

§ 34-18-19

South Carolina

30 Days

§ 27-40-410

South Dakota

2 Weeks 

§ 43-32-24

Tennessee

30 Days

§ 66-28-301.2

Texas

30 Days

§ 92.103

Utah

30 Days

§ 57-17-3

Vermont

14 Days*

§ 4461

Virginia

45 Days

§ 55.1-1226

Washington

21 Days

§ 59.18.280

Washington D.C.

45 Days

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 309

West Virginia

60 days* 

§ 37-6A-1

Wisconsin

21 Days

§ 134.06

Wyoming

15 or 30 days* 

§ 1-21-1208(A)

* Check the law for additional information or exceptions. 

What is a Security Deposit Demand Letter?  
Link icon

In a security deposit demand letter, you (the tenant) are requesting your landlord to return your security deposit. Typically, this letter is written after your landlord has not paid you back within your state’s required time period. The security deposit demand letter should also notify your landlord that if they do not return your security deposit within the deadline you provide you intend to sue them in small claims court. Here are the two most common reasons to send a security deposit demand letter: 

  • You moved out of your rental unit and your landlord refuses to return your security deposit.

  • You moved out of your rental unit and your landlord returns your security deposit but has deducted money from the security without explaining why or providing an itemized checklist per your state’s security deposit laws. 

Why is a Security Deposit Demand Letter Important?
Link icon

If your landlord has not returned your security deposit or is ignoring your calls and messages a well-crafted demand letter can be a useful tool to get your landlord to satisfy their legal obligation to return your security deposit. 

Here are additional reasons to first send a demand letter before suing your landlord in court for your security deposit: 

  1. Depending on the state you are filing a lawsuit in, you may be required to demand payment from your landlord before filing. For example, in California, small claims court demanding payment is a requirement. By sending a demand letter you are fulfilling this requirement. 

  2. By sending a security deposit demand letter you are signaling to your landlord that you are serious about getting your security deposit back and willing to take legal action. 

  3. Sending a written security deposit demand letter assures you there is a record of your attempt to get your security deposit back. So while you may request your security deposit back orally, we recommend making the request in writing. There is also no restriction on text messages, but writing a letter can sometimes be very effective as it is a more formal way of making a demand to your landlord. 

  4. The most important reason to send a demand letter is that it could lead to you getting your security deposit back in full! 

Key Elements to Include in Your Security Deposit Demand Letter 
Link icon

There are no set requirements for what needs to be included in a security deposit demand letter. However, below are some key elements you should make sure to include so your demand letter is as effective as possible. 

  • Your landlord’s name and address.

  • The address of your rental unit and the dates you rented from.

  • A statement of what happened between you and your landlord and why you are requesting your security deposit back. 

  • How much you paid for your security deposit and how much is owed to you.  

  • Your state’s security deposit laws. 

  • The penalties under your state’s security deposit laws for not returning the deposit.  

  • The date by which your landlord should've returned the deposit or provided a list or accounting of deductions. 

  • Your contact information and forwarding address.

  • A deadline by which your landlord should return your security deposit. 

Step-by-Step How to Write a Security Deposit Demand Letter
Link icon

Step 1. Research Your State’s Security Deposit Laws

  • You are entitled to your security deposit within a set time frame and before you can request your security deposit back you need to make sure that the deadline has passed

  • Our state-by-state chart includes all 50 state security deposit deadlines (including Washington D.C.).

  • Consult with an attorney if you have further questions about your specific situation. 

Step 2. Write Out a Header

  • Include your contact information. This means your name and forwarding address. 

  • Date. The date you are sending the letter.

  • Include information on how the letter is being sent. For example, if you sent your security deposit demand letter by certified mail add a line that states this at the top of the letter.

  • Include your landlord’s name and address. 

Step 2. Statement of What Happened  

  • Include a concise statement of how much money you are owed and the letter's intent. At the beginning of your letter, include a statement stating how much your landlord owes you from your security deposit. 

  • Also, add a statement stating that this demand letter serves as notice of your intention to take legal action against your landlord if your security deposit money is not returned. 

Step 3. Body of the Letter 

  • Include the most important facts. This means the address of the rental unit, how long your lease lasted, when you moved out, if you reached out to your landlord to let them know the security deposit was late, how late the security deposit was, etc. 

  • Include the security deposit law in your state and any penalties your landlord may be liable for. For example, in some states, if a landlord withholds a security deposit in “bad faith” the tenant can request additional punitive damages (i.e. additional money). 

  • Include the settlement demand. Make sure to explain to your landlord that you are open to settling the case if your security deposit is returned. 

  • Include how you would like to receive payment and by when. Make sure you have included a deadline by which you expect your security deposit back. 

Step 4. Conclusion and Signature

  • Include a deadline. You may want to consider giving your landlord 14 days to respond to the security deposit. 

  • Include a signature. The document should end with the respectful “Sincerely” and your name along with your signature. 

Learn more about the demand letter writing process. 

Sample Security Deposit Demand Letter
Link icon

Below is a sample security deposit demand letter, in which a tenant requests that their landlord return their security deposit. When using this blank template insert the relevant information of your dispute in: 

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Date]

[Landlord’s Name]

[Landlord’s Address]

Via USPS Certified Mail

Re: Failure to Return Security Deposit

Dear [Landlord’s Name]:  

I am writing to request that you return my security deposit in the amount of [insert amount owed]. I am attempting to resolve this out of court, but if we cannot come to an agreement, I intend to sue. 

Here is a statement of my case that I intend to submit to the court:  

I moved out of my rental unit located at [address of rental unit] on [date you moved out]. I gave a [amount paid as a security deposit] security deposit when I moved into the apartment which I was entitled to receive at the end of my lease period. It is now [date],  and I have not received my security deposit back from [landlord’s name]. [Your state’s security deposit law] provides that a landlord has [time frame by when your security deposit needs to be returned] to return a tenant’s security deposit. I am now demanding [amount owed] as per [your state’s security deposit law].  

I look forward to resolving this matter amicably and I am amenable to discussing mediation. You may contact me at [your email] if you would like to discuss this matter further. Please send me a check payable to my name to the forwarding address listed above. 

If I do not hear from you by [14 days from now], you leave me no alternative but to file a lawsuit against you. In the event of a lawsuit, I intend to seek redress to the fullest extent permitted by law including, but not limited to, additional damages, legal services costs, court costs, and accrued interest. 

Sincerely,

_____________________________

[print your name] 

Are you looking for a more state-specific sample security deposit demand letter? We have specific New York and California security deposit articles.  

How to Send a Security Deposit Demand Letter
Link icon

We recommend sending your security deposit demand letter via email or mail. For letters that you mail, consider the following:

  • Tracking. Make sure to track your security deposit demand letter. With tracking, you will know if the letter reached your landlord or not. 

  • Signature Required. You do not necessarily need a signature request. When you send a letter with a signature request, the postal carrier must hand-deliver the letter and your landlord must sign the letter. 

What To Do if Your Security Deposit Demand Letter Didn’t Work? 
Link icon

If you sent a security deposit demand letter to your landlord and have yet to receive your security deposit it may be time to consider suing your landlord in small claims court. Small claims courts handle a variety of cases involving landlords, like security deposit cases, at a low cost. Small claims courts are considered the “People’s Court” because of how affordable and user-friendly they are. In some small claims courts, attorneys are not even allowed to represent you! Consider filing a small claims lawsuit against your landlord if they refuse to return your security deposit. 

Learn how to file a lawsuit against a landlord in small claims court.

Subscribe for Small Claims Tips
Author

Legal Educator at JusticeDirect. Camila holds a law degree and is a certified mediator. Her passion is breaking down complicated legal processes so that people without an attorney can get justice.

LinkedIn Logofacebook logoInstagram IconTikTokYoutube Icon
powered by Quest for Justice

©2024 JusticeDirect

Quest for Justice, LLC dba JusticeDirect is not an attorney or a law firm, therefore, JusticeDirect does not provide legal advice. JusticeDirect uses technology to reduce the costs of pursuing a small claims dispute.

JusticeDirect can only provide self-help services at your direction. JusticeDirect is not affiliated or endorsed by any government agency.

We can be reached at (650) 385-8507 or by email at [email protected].