Tenant Security Deposit

You should usually get your deposit back within 10 days of agreeing on the amount with your landlord. It can take a lot longer if you and your landlord disagree on the amount that's being taken off.

Before you go to court, a number of states require you to send a demand letter to your opposing party. An attorney is usually not necessary at this point and you can write a demand letter on your own. To write one, gather necessary documents, draft your letter, and send the letter to your opposing party.

Type your letter. Concisely review the main facts. Be polite. Write with your goal in mind. Ask for exactly what you want. Set a deadline. End the letter by stating you will promptly pursue legal remedies if the other party does not meet your demand. Make and keep copies.

The date of the letter and the landlord's full name and address. The address of the residence you rented and the date you moved in. A statement that you've been paying your rent timely and that you are current with your payments.

Alerting state or local health and building inspectors. Suing your landlord in small claims court.

Fill out the Request for Return of Security Deposit form (not interactive; you must print, then fill out the form). Send the form to your former landlord. Keep a photo-copy of the form for yourself. Hold on to the Return Receipt when it comes back in the mail.

Tenant's name and new address, or address he gave for return of the security deposit. Commencement date of the lease and date it ended. Amount of the security deposit when the tenant moved in. Amount of interest accrued.

The landlord must refund the deposit within 30 days after the tenancy has ended. The refund must be delivered to the tenant's last-known address.