Security Deposit Demand Letter (Free Template + State-by-State Deadlines)

[Your Full Name]
[Your Current Address — your forwarding address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

[Date]

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

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

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit — [Former Rental Address]

Dear [Landlord's Name]:

I rented the property at [Former Rental Address] from [Move-In Date] to [Move-Out Date]. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of $[Deposit Amount]. I surrendered possession and returned the keys on [Move-Out Date]. My forwarding address — for purposes of returning the deposit and any required itemized statement — is set out at the top of this letter.

Under [State] law (cite the section that applies to your state — e.g., "Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5," "Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103," "N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108," "Fla. Stat. § 83.49," "Mass. G.L. c. 186, § 15B"), you are required to either:
  (a) return the full deposit to me, or
  (b) deliver a written, itemized statement of any deductions — with supporting receipts or invoices where the statute requires them — and refund any remainder,
within [statutory deadline — fill in your state's number of days, commonly 14 to 30 days] of the date I vacated and provided you a forwarding address.

As of today, [Number of Days] days have passed since I vacated, and I have received neither a refund nor a compliant itemized statement.

I am formally demanding the return of $[Amount Owed] within [7-14] days of the date of this letter. If you contend that any portion is properly withheld, please provide a written, itemized statement that includes:
  • Each specific deduction;
  • The legal basis for that deduction (i.e., actual damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, unpaid rent, or another category permitted by [State] law);
  • Receipts, invoices, or written estimates supporting each charge (required for any deduction in some states, including California for deductions above $125 and Washington for any damage charge);
  • Proration for any item — paint, carpet, fixtures — calculated against its remaining useful life rather than its replacement cost.

I left the property in clean condition, with normal wear and tear excepted. I have photographs and a move-out record from [Date] documenting the condition of the unit.

If I do not receive either the full refund or a fully documented itemized statement within [7-14] days of the date of this letter, I will treat your retention as in bad faith and pursue all remedies available under [State] law. Many states make a tenant who prevails on a wrongful-withholding claim entitled to recover statutory damages — typically two to three times the wrongfully withheld amount — plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. (See, e.g., Tex. Prop. Code § 92.109 [3x + attorney's fees]; Mass. G.L. c. 186, § 15B [3x + 5% interest + costs + fees]; Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(l) [2x in bad faith].)

I would prefer to resolve this without litigation. Please send the refund (or fully documented itemized statement) by check or electronic transfer using the contact information above.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

Enclosures: [copy of lease; move-in inspection report (if any); dated move-out photos; any prior text/email regarding the deposit]