Security Deposit Return Letter

Who this document is for

• A landlord returning a deposit after move-out
• A landlord deducting for damage or unpaid rent
• A property manager who needs a defensible record

When to use something else

Using the wrong document is the most expensive mistake in this category, because the paperwork looks complete while doing the wrong thing. This is not the document for:

• Confirming a deposit when the tenant moves in — use a Security Deposit Receipt
• Demanding money beyond the deposit — that is a demand letter
• Documenting the condition of the property — use a Move-Out Inspection Checklist

What the generated document contains

• Landlord and tenant names, and the property
• The deposit held and the move-out date
• Each deduction, itemised with a reason
• The amount being returned and how it is sent
• The forwarding address used
• Signature block

State and local requirements

Requirements for this document differ by state, and sometimes by city. Notice periods, deposit limits, permitted fees and required disclosures are all set locally, and a number that is correct in one state can be wrong in the next one.

This page does not state those figures. The questionnaire asks you for the values that apply to your tenancy and prints what you enter, so the document reflects your situation rather than a national average. Start with the state lease pages for the jurisdiction you are renting in.

How it works

1. Answer the guided questions — most take a few minutes
2. Review the readiness check, which flags contradictions before you pay
3. Preview the finished document free
4. Pay once and download the PDF and Word file. No subscription.