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How to Write
A security deposit demand letter should be professional, respectful, and include details that support the tenant’s legal right to a refund. It should clearly state the:
- Tenant’s name and forwarding address.
- Letter date.
- Rental property address and lease dates.
- Security deposit amount.
- State security deposit law, including the legal return period.
- Demand for payment and response deadline.
The letter may also warn of legal action and potential penalties. Tenants can strengthen their case by attaching photos, inspection reports, or other evidence.
When to Send the Demand Letter
The demand letter is sent when a landlord does not return a security deposit within the required time frame. Depending on the state, this period may begin when the tenant moves out, the lease ends, or the landlord receives the tenant’s new address.
State Return Deadlines for Security Deposits |
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| STATE | DEADLINE | LAW |
| Alabama | 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned | § 35-9A-201(b) |
| Alaska | 14 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned, or within 30 days if deductions apply | § 34.03.070(g) |
| Arizona | 14 days (excl. weekends and holidays) after tenancy termination, return of possession, and demand by the tenant | § 33-1321(D) |
| Arkansas | Within 60 days of tenancy termination | § 18-16-305(a) |
| California | 21 days after the tenant vacates | CIV § 1950.5(h)(1) |
| Colorado | 1 month after the tenancy ends or the tenant vacates, or up to 60 days if agreed to in the lease | § 38-12-103(1) |
| Connecticut | 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later | § 47a-21(d)(2) |
| Delaware | 20 days after the lease ends | § 5514(f) |
| Florida | 15 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, or within 30 days if deductions apply | § 83.49(3)(a) |
| Georgia | 30 days after possession is returned | § 44-7-34(a) |
| Hawaii | 14 days after the lease ends | § 521-44(c) |
| Idaho | 30 days after possession is returned, or within 21 days if the lease does not set a deadline | § 6-321(2) |
| Illinois | Within 30 days of the tenant vacating or the termination of the tenancy (whichever is later), or 45 days if deductions apply | 765 ILCS 710/1(a) |
| Indiana | 45 days after the lease ends and possession is returned | § 32-31-3-12(a) |
| Iowa | 30 days after tenancy termination and receipt of the tenant’s forwarding address | § 562A.12(3)(a) |
| Kansas | 14 days after determining deductions, but no later than 30 days after tenancy termination | § 58-2550(b) |
| Kentucky | Tenants must request their deposits within 30 days if rent is still owed, or 60 days if no rent is owed | §§ 383.580(6), (7) |
| Louisiana | 1 month after the lease ends | § 9:3251(A) |
| Maine | 30 days after the tenancy ends or possession is returned (whichever is later), or within 21 days if there is no written lease | § 6033(2) |
| Maryland | 45 days after the tenancy ends | § 8–203(e) |
| Massachusetts | 30 days after the tenancy ends | Ch. 186 § 15B(4) |
| Michigan | 30 days after the occupancy ends | § 554.609 |
| Minnesota | 3 weeks after tenancy termination and receipt of the tenant’s forwarding address | § 504B.178(Subd. 3)(a) |
| Mississippi | 45 days after tenancy termination, return of possession, and demand by the tenant | § 89-8-21(3) |
| Missouri | 30 days after the tenancy ends | § 535.300(3) |
| Montana | 30 days after the lease ends or possession is returned, whichever is first | § 70-25-202(1) |
| Nebraska | 14 days after the tenancy ends | § 76-1416(2) |
| Nevada | 30 days after the tenancy ends | NRS 118A.242(4) |
| New Hampshire | 30 days after the tenancy ends | § 540-A:7(I) |
| New Jersey | 30 days after the tenancy ends | § 46:8-21.1 |
| New Mexico | 30 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant vacates, whichever is later | § 47-8-18(C) |
| New York | 14 days after the tenant vacates | GOB § 7-108(1-a)(e) |
| North Carolina | 30 days after the tenancy ends, or within 60 days if necessary to determine deductions | § 42-52 |
| North Dakota | 30 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned | § 47-16-07.1(3) |
| Ohio | 30 days after the lease ends and possession is returned | § 5321.16(B) |
| Oklahoma | 45 days after tenancy termination, return of possession, and demand by the tenant | § 41-115(B) |
| Oregon | 31 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned | § 90.300(13) |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant vacates, whichever is first | § 250.512(a) |
| Rhode Island | 20 days after tenancy termination, return of possession, or receipt of the tenant’s forwarding address (whichever is later) | § 34-18-19(b) |
| South Carolina | 30 days after tenancy termination, return of possession, or demand by the tenant (whichever is later) | § 27-40-410(a) |
| South Dakota | 2 weeks after tenancy termination and receipt of the tenant’s forwarding address | § 43-32-24 |
| Tennessee | If a balance remains after deductions, the landlord must notify the tenant, and the tenant must respond within 60 days | § 66-28-301(f) |
| Texas | 30 days after possession is returned | § 92.103(a) |
| Utah | 30 days after the tenant vacates and returns possession | § 57-17-3(2) |
| Vermont | 14 days after the tenant vacates, or within 60 days if the occupancy is seasonal | § 4461(c) |
| Virginia | 45 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant vacates, whichever is later | § 55.1-1226(A) |
| Washington | 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant vacates | § 59.18.280(1)(a) |
| West Virginia | Within 60 days of tenancy termination or 45 days of the start of the subsequent tenancy, whichever is shorter | §§ 37-6A-2(a), 37-6A-1(7) |
| Wisconsin | 21 days after the lease ends | § 134.06(2) |
| Wyoming | 30 days after the lease ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later | § 1-21-1208(a) |
Sample
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[TENANT NAME]
[TENANT ADDRESS]
[TENANT CONTACT INFO]
Date: [DATE]
[LANDLORD NAME]
[LANDLORD BUSINESS NAME (IF APPLICABLE)]
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Re: Return of Security Deposit for [RENTAL PROPERTY ADDRESS]
Dear [LANDLORD NAME],
Upon entering into the lease agreement dated [DATE], I placed a security deposit in the amount of $[AMOUNT] with you. In accordance with the laws in the State of [STATE], you are required to return the deposit within [#] days from the termination of the lease.
YOU ARE NOW BEYOND THE STATE LIMIT FOR RETURNING THE DEPOSIT.
Therefore, please send payment as soon as possible to the following address: [ADDRESS WHERE PAYMENT WILL BE SENT].
Sincerely,
________________________
[TENANT NAME]