Demand Letter for Security Deposit

Template

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Email] | [Phone]
[Date]

[Landlord / Property Manager Name]
[Property Address]

Re: Return of security deposit — [Rental Address]

Dear [Landlord Name],

I moved out of [Rental Address] on [Move-Out Date] and returned the keys on that date. Under [state] law, you must return my security deposit of [Deposit Amount] within [State Deadline, e.g., 21 days], minus only itemized, documented deductions.

I have not received the deposit or an itemized statement. Please send the full [Deposit Amount] to [Your Address] within [Number] days. If I do not receive it, I may file a claim in small claims court, where some states allow recovery of up to [statutory penalty, e.g., 2x the deposit] for wrongful withholding.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

What to fill in

Your forwarding address (deposits are mailed there)
Move-out date and key return date
Exact deposit amount from your lease
Your state’s statutory return deadline

Legal note

US state deadlines vary (commonly 14–30 days). In California, Civil Code §1950.5 requires an itemized statement within 21 days and allows statutory damages for bad-faith withholding. Check your state statute before citing penalties.

Templates reviewed by the DemandKit editorial team; not a law firm — see disclaimer.

Demand Letter for Security Deposit

What to fill in

Legal note

More demand letter templates