Security Deposit Demand Letter
Security Deposit Demand Letter
Before you use this: Check the state, local, lease, and housing-program rules that apply to this tenancy before stating a deadline, deduction rule, interest amount, delivery method, or penalty. Use only the options that match the facts and the applicable law.
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
[YOUR EMAIL OR PHONE, OPTIONAL]
[__/__/____]
[LANDLORD OR DEPOSIT HOLDER NAME]
[MAILING ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Re: Security deposit for [RENTAL PROPERTY ADDRESS AND UNIT]
Dear [RECIPIENT NAME]:
I rented the property at [RENTAL PROPERTY ADDRESS AND UNIT] from [__/__/____] to [__/__/____]. I paid a security deposit of $[AMOUNT] on [__/__/____]. I returned possession on [__/__/____] by [HOW KEYS OR ACCESS WERE RETURNED]. My forwarding address was provided on [__/__/____] by [METHOD], if applicable.
As of this letter, I have received $[AMOUNT REFUNDED] of the deposit and [AN ITEMIZED ACCOUNTING DATED [__/__/____] / NO ITEMIZED ACCOUNTING]. I request payment of the unpaid amount described below and a written explanation of any deductions you claim.
| Deposit accounting | Amount |
|---|---|
| Deposit paid | $[____] |
| Amount returned or credited | $[____] |
| Deductions I do not dispute | $[____] |
| Amount I request | $[____] |
I dispute these deductions or the absence of an accounting for the following factual reasons:
| Deduction or missing item | Amount | Reason and supporting facts |
|---|---|---|
| [DESCRIPTION] | $[____] | [FACTS, DATES, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, OR LEASE TERM] |
| [DESCRIPTION] | $[____] | [FACTS, DATES, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, OR LEASE TERM] |
| [DESCRIPTION] | $[____] | [FACTS, DATES, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, OR LEASE TERM] |
[IF VERIFIED FOR THIS TENANCY: The applicable [STATE OR LOCAL] provision, [EXACT CITATION], required [EXACT REFUND OR ACCOUNTING DUTY] by [DATE CALCULATED FROM THE CORRECT TRIGGER]. I request compliance with that duty.]
[IF VERIFIED FOR THIS TENANCY: The claimed deduction for [ITEM] is not permitted under [EXACT CITATION OR LEASE TERM] because [FACTS].]
Please send $[AMOUNT REQUESTED] to [PAYMENT ADDRESS OR AGREED METHOD] and provide any remaining accounting or supporting documents for the deductions by [REQUESTED RESPONSE DATE]. Please contact me at [PHONE OR EMAIL] if you wish to discuss the accounting or a refund.
I reserve the right to seek any remedy available under the applicable law. This letter does not waive any claim or defense.
Sincerely,
Signature: [________________________________]
Printed name: [________________________________]
Date signed: [__/__/____]
Enclosures, if any: [LEASE / PAYMENT RECEIPT / MOVE-OUT PHOTOS / ITEMIZATION / FORWARDING-ADDRESS NOTICE / OTHER: ________________________________]
About this template
- Last updated
- September 26, 2026
- Last reviewed
- September 28, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- All states
- Category
- Landlord & Tenant
Landlord-tenant paperwork governs who can stay in a property, on what terms, and what happens when something goes wrong. Leases, notices to quit, security deposit demands, and habitability complaints all have state and often city-specific requirements for timing, content, and service. Getting the paperwork right is what makes an eviction actually succeed or a security deposit actually come back, because judges regularly dismiss cases over small procedural mistakes.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on September 28, 2026.
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