Sample letter to a landlord who does not give the tenant an itemization of deductions or return the deposit within the time required by law.

January 1, 2006 Mary Landlady
384 Highbrow Court
Everyville, USA

Re: Deposit for 23 Foxhill Road, Everyville

Dear Ms. Landlady;:

I moved out of the house at 23 Foxhill Road, Everyville on the 31st of November, 2005. Under the law of [state] you had [number of] days in which to notify me of valid deduction from my deposit and return all unused portions of my deposit to me.

That time period has now passed and you have not given me an itemization of deductions from my deposit or returned my deposit to me. [Here ask for remedy provided by your state’s law, such as, “You can no longer withhold any money from my deposit, so I demand you return the entire deposit in the amount of [dollar amount] within 5 days of the date of this letter.” or “You are now obligated under state law to pay me two times the deposit amount. I demand that you pay me [dollar amount] within 5 days of the date of this letter.”]

If you fail to return my deposit [or pay the penalty provided by law] within 5 days of the date of this letter, I will take the matter to small claims court.

Sincerely,
Tom Tenant