Security Deposit Itemization Request Letter (Free Template + State Rules)

[Your Full Name]
[Your Current Forwarding Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone] [Email]

[Date]

[Landlord's Name or Property Management Company]
[Landlord's Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Sent via certified mail, return receipt requested
(Email copy also sent to [landlord email] for the record.)

Re: Request for Compliant Itemization of Security Deposit Deductions — [Former Rental Address]

Dear [Landlord's Name]:

I rented the property at [Former Rental Address] from [Move-In Date] to [Move-Out Date]. My security deposit was $[Original Deposit Amount]. I surrendered possession on [Move-Out Date] and provided my forwarding address on [Date Forwarding Address Provided].

I have received your itemized statement dated [Statement Date] proposing to retain $[Amount Retained] from my deposit and returning $[Amount Returned]. The statement is non-compliant with [State] law for the reasons set out below, and I am requesting that you cure the deficiencies within [10–14] days.

Specific objections:

  Line item: "[Item from statement]"
    Charge: $[Amount]
    Defect in itemization:
    [Pick one or more, deleting the rest:]
      • No paid invoice or receipt provided, in violation of [Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(g)(2) (receipts required for deductions over $125); Mass. G.L. c. 186 § 15B(4) (sworn itemized list with written evidence of cost); RCW 59.18.280 (copies of estimates or invoices required to substantiate damage); 765 ILCS 710/1 (paid receipts must accompany itemized statement)].
      • No proration applied for an item beyond its remaining useful life. [If applicable: carpet useful life is generally 5–10 years; flat paint 2–3 years. The landlord may only recover the unused portion.]
      • Charge for normal wear and tear, which is not deductible in any state. [Brief description of why this is wear and tear.]
      • [California only] No move-in, move-out, or after-repair photos provided, in violation of Civ. Code § 1950.5(f)(3) as amended by AB 2801 (phased Apr 1, 2025 – Apr 1, 2026).
      • Vague description; landlord did not identify what was repaired, how, or by whom. Texas Prop. Code § 92.104 requires specific itemization, not generic categories.
      • [Florida only] Statement was not delivered by certified mail to my last known address within 30 days of move-out as required by Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a).

  Line item: "[Next item from statement]" — repeat as needed.

I am demanding within [10–14] days of the date of this letter:

  1. Paid invoices, receipts, or written estimates for each line item, as required by the statute cited above.

  2. For any landlord-performed work: a written description of the work, time spent, and hourly rate (required in California under Civ. Code § 1950.5(g)(2)(B)).

  3. Proration of any item past useful life, recalculated against remaining useful life rather than replacement cost.

  4. Removal of any line item that is wear and tear, or that is not supported by the statutory documentation.

  5. [California only] Date-stamped move-in, move-out, and after-repair photos as required by Civ. Code § 1950.5(f)(3).

  6. [Massachusetts only] A sworn itemized list under pains and penalties of perjury as required by G.L. c. 186 § 15B(6).

If you fail to provide a compliant itemization within [10–14] days, I intend to treat the retention as bad-faith and pursue all remedies available under [State] law, which include:

  • [California] Up to 2× the deposit in statutory damages under Civ. Code § 1950.5(l), plus actual damages.
  • [Texas] $100 + 3× the wrongfully withheld amount + reasonable attorney's fees under Prop. Code § 92.109.
  • [New York] Forfeiture of any right to retain; punitive damages up to 2× the deposit for willful violations under Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108.
  • [Florida] Forfeiture of the right to impose a claim under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a); prevailing-party attorney's fees.
  • [Illinois] 2× the deposit + court costs + attorney's fees under 765 ILCS 710/1(c).
  • [Massachusetts] 3× the deposit + 5% interest + court costs + reasonable attorney's fees under G.L. c. 186 § 15B(7).
  • [Washington] Up to 2× the deposit for intentional refusal + prevailing-party attorney's fees under RCW 59.18.280.
  • [Georgia] 3× the wrongfully withheld amount + reasonable attorney's fees under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-35.

I would prefer to resolve this without litigation. Please send the additional documentation by the deadline above to the contact information above.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

Enclosures: [copy of the itemized statement received; copy of lease; copy of move-in inspection; dated move-out photos; copy of forwarding-address proof]