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BY CERTIFIED MAIL
  and ,    and ,    and 
,  

Dear   and ,    and ,    and  :

This letter concerns the residential lease agreement, dated , between you and (the "Lease"), in which you leased the premises located at , , ,  (the "Premises"). On , you paid a security deposit in the amount of   plus a pet damage deposit of .

I am hereby returning the security deposit to you. This is in keeping with Alabama law, which requires that I make this return within 60 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Alaska law, which requires that I make this return within 14 days of the termination of your tenancy. This is in keeping with Arizona law, which requires that I make this return within 14 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Arkansas law, which requires that I make this return within 60 days of the termination of your tenancy. This is in keeping with California law, which requires that I make this return within 21 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Colorado law, which requires that I make this return within one month of the last to occur of your vacating the Premises or the termination of the Lease. This is in keeping with Connecticut law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days of the termination of your tenancy, or within 15 days of receiving your forwarding address, whichever was later. This is in keeping with Delaware law, which requires that I make this return within 20 days of the termination of the Lease. This is in keeping with Florida law, which requires that I make this full return within 15 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Florida law, which requires that I notify you within 30 days of your vacating the Premises of my intent to impose a claim on the deposit and the reasons for the claim. This is in keeping with Georgia law, which requires that I make this return within one month of the last to occur of your vacating the Premises or the termination of the Lease. This is in keeping with Hawaii law, which requires that I make this return within 14 days of the termination of the Lease. This is in keeping with Idaho law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Illinois law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Idaho law, which requires that I make this return within 45 days of the termination of the Lease and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Iowa law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days of the termination of the tenancy and my receipt of your mailing address or delivery instructions. This is in keeping with Kansas law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days of the termination of the tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Kentucky law, which requires that I make this return upon your request after the termination of your tenancy, so long as the request is within 60 days of the termination of your tenancy. This is in keeping with Louisiana law, which requires that I make this return within one month after the date the tenancy terminates. This is in keeping with Maine law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Maryland law, which requires that I make this return within 45 days after the end of the tenancy. This is in keeping with Michigan law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Massachusetts law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the end of your tenancy. This is in keeping with Minnesota law, which requires that I make this return within 3 weeks after the termination of your tenancy and receipt of your mailing address and delivery instructions. This is in keeping with Mississippi law, which requires that I make this return within 45 days after the termination of your tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Missouri law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the date of termination of your tenancy. This is in keeping with Montana law, which requires that I make this full return within 10 days of your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Montana law, which requires that I notify you, within 30 days of the earlier to occur of the termination of your tenancy or your vacating the Premises, of a written list of rent due and damage and cleaning charges that are your responsibility. This is in keeping with Nebraska law, which requires that I make this return within 14 days after demand and designation of the location to where this notice should be made or mailed. This is in keeping with Nevada law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the end of your tenancy. This is in keeping with New Hampshire law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the end of your tenancy. This is in keeping with New Jersey law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the termination of your Lease. This is in keeping with New Jersey law, which requires that I make this return within 5 days after the event that caused your departure. This is in keeping with New Jersey law, which requires that I make this return within 15 days after the event that caused the termination of your Lease. This is in keeping with New Mexico law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the end of your tenancy. This is in keeping with New York law, which requires that I make this return within a reasonable time after the end of your tenancy. This is in keeping with North Carolina law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the end of your tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with North Dakota law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the termination of your Lease and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Ohio law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the termination of your Lease and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Oklahoma law, which requires that I make this return within 45 days after the end of your tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Oregon law, which requires that I make this return within 31 days after the end of your tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Pennsylvania law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the first to occur of the termination of your Lease and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Rhode Island law, which requires that I make this return within 20 days after the last to occur of the termination of your tenancy, your vacating the Premises, or your providing me with an address to receive this notice. This is in keeping with South Carolina law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after the last to occur of the termination of your tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with South Dakota law, which requires that I make this return within two weeks after the termination of your tenancy and your providing me with an address to receive this notice. This is in keeping with Tennessee law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Texas law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Utah law, which requires that I make this return within 30 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Vermont law, which requires that I make this return within 14 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Vermont law, which requires that I make this return within 60 days after your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Virginia law, which requires that I make this return within 45 days after termination of the tenancy and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Washington law, which requires that I make this return within 21 days after termination of the Lease and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with West Virginia law, which requires that I make this return within the earlier of 60 days of the termination of the tenancy or 45 days of the occupancy of the Premises by a later tenant. This is in keeping with Wisconsin law, which requires that I make this return within 21 days after the termination of the Lease and your vacating the Premises. This is in keeping with Wyoming law, which requires that I make this return within the later to occur of 30 days after the termination of your Lease or 15 days after receiving your new mailing address.  As agreed in the Lease, I made deductions from the security deposit for unpaid rent, damages, maintenance, and property repair to the Premises as follows:

SECURITY DEPOSIT SETTLEMENT

add border
CreditDeductionsTotalComments
1.Initial Security Deposit
2.Pet Damage Deposit (if applicable)$0.00
3.Interest on the deposit(s) (at 0% per year)$0.00
4.Total of 1-3
5.Repairs and maintenance (if available, attach photos
of damage taken during walk-through)		$0.00
6.Cleaning
     (a) General Cleaning
     (b) Curtains
     (c) Carpet		$0.00
7.Painting$0.00
8.Missing fixtures or appliances$0.00
9.Damaged fixtures or appliances$0.00
10.Pet damage (if applicable)$0.00
11.Unpaid rent (if applicable)$0.00
12.Total of 5-11$0.00
13.Balance due (4 minus 12)

This is a notice of my intention to impose a claim for damages in the amount of  on your security deposit, due to   and ,    and ,    and  . It is sent to you as required by Florida Statutes section 83.49(3). You are hereby notified that you must object in writing to this deduction from your security deposit within 15 days from the time you receive this notice or I will be authorized to deduct my claim from your security deposit. Your objection must be sent to , , , .

You must respond to this notice by mail within 7 days after receipt of same, otherwise you will forfeit the amount claimed for damages.

I have enclosed a check for , which constitutes fullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullfullpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartialpartial  payment of your security deposit balance. It was a pleasure having you as a tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanta tenanttenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenantstenants and I wish you luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
____________________________________________________________

Enclosures

FREE
ATTORNEY-DRAFTED

Free Landlord Security Deposit Return Letter Template

Keep the security deposit refund process clear and simple for former tenants. A landlord security deposit return letter lets you break down deductions and refunds, ensuring a smooth and transparent process for the landlord and the tenant.
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How-to guides, articles, and any other content appearing on this page are for informational purposes only, do not constitute legal advice, and are no substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Landlord security deposit return letter: How-to guide

Landlords have many legal responsibilities, including collecting and returning security deposits. This security deposit from tenants safeguards against any potential damage to the rented property during their stay.

Security deposits help to ensure tenants leave the rental units in good condition and that landlords receive all payments they owe before a tenant's departure. If a tenant causes damage or owes rent, the landlord can utilize the security deposit to cover the expenses. Once the tenant moves out, the landlord must send a letter enlisting the deductions made and the security deposit balance.

This guide contains everything you'll need to draft a letter returning a security deposit, ensuring you provide all relevant information about the security deposit's deductions and return.

What are the aspects to consider for a landlord security deposit return letter?

1. Covering the cost of repairing damage

A security deposit is intended to cover the costs of repairs or replacements that may be necessary due to any damage caused by the tenant during their stay. It is important to note that this deposit usually does not give coverage for normal wear and tear. The purpose of this deposit is to prevent the landlord from taking legal action to recover the costs of repairs or replacements.

2. Reviewing the relevant lease information

Before drafting your letter, review the relevant lease information, such as the lease period, including any provisions about termination and its consequences. Ensure you have met all your obligations under the lease before moving forward. It is imperative to adhere to these steps to avoid any potential legal complications that may arise.

3. Examining the property damages

It can be challenging to prove any significant changes in the condition of a rental property since the tenant moved in, which can create issues with security deposits. To avoid this problem, having non-tenant(s) witnesses inspect the property at the beginning and end of the lease period is a good idea. You can ask them to sign statements about the apartment's condition and any other details they may notice. It will help to ensure that you have documentation to support any claims regarding the condition of the property.

4. Providing an inventory checklist

Provide the tenant with an inventory checklist at the start of the lease term. The list should have all the items in the unit and space for the tenant to note the condition of each item before they move in. The landlord can accompany the tenant on the walkthrough when they record the impressions in the checklist. Both the tenant and landlord should keep a copy of the completed checklist.

5. Listing changes to the condition of the property

At the end of the lease, it is a good practice to take another walkthrough of the property with the tenant and complete an inventory checklist. This checklist can be the same one used at the beginning of the lease agreement while the tenant was moving in. During this walkthrough, list any damage or changes to the condition of the property on the inventory checklist. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the unit to document its state at the time of the tenant's departure.

6. Deductions from the security deposit

A landlord may use the security deposit to take care of the charges of the cleaning costs when a tenant vacates the property by producing the repair and cleaning bills. However, they can only deduct an amount that will return the unit to its same condition when the tenant first moved in. They cannot deduct for routine cleaning to prepare the unit for the next tenant. These cleaning expenses differ from repair or replacement costs and cannot be deducted from the security deposit.

Providing a list of deductions

A landlord must give the tenant a notice in writing that lists all deductions from their security deposit when they move out of a rental property. They should provide this notice within a specific timeframe after the lease has ended. In cases where the landlord could not provide a list of deductions, the tenant is entitled to the entire security deposit.

7. Utilizing the security deposit as rent

A security deposit is not rent. It's the tenant's money, held by landlords for possible damages caused by the tenant or to clear any unpaid rent or dues. The landlord cannot use the security deposit as the last month's rent unless agreed upon by both parties.

8. Complying with the state's security deposit laws

a) Informing tenants of security deposit rights in writing

Some states require informing tenants of their security deposit rights when they pay the deposit. Landlords are responsible for notifying the tenants in writing about their rights regarding the security deposit. These may include the right to be present during the property inspection. It is crucial to adhere to the rules set by your state regarding security deposits, as failure to do so may result in the loss of some or entire deposit.

b) Maximum security deposit amount

Certain states limit the maximum security deposit allowed to be held by landlords. Review your state's laws before demanding the security deposit for your property.

c) Types of institutions and timeframe

Specific state laws establish which types of institutions are authorized to collect residential security deposits. These laws also outline the timeframe the tenant must get the security deposit back after vacating the property. If your state enforces such regulations, it is crucial to comply with them.

d) Deductions

Landlords are usually allowed to deduct costs on various grounds. These may include property damage, unpaid rent, and unpaid late fees. 

In some states, landlords can deduct expenses for professional cleaning, carpet cleaners, painters, and handypersons. 

It is important to note that every deduction must have a receipt or an estimate accompanying it. Landlords must provide these documents to tenants. It is recommended to review your state's rules to determine what is required or permitted in your area according to the local laws.

e) Paying back the interest on the original security deposit

Landlords are typically required to pay interest on security deposits. This interest rate varies depending on the state but usually falls between 2% and 5%. Landlords need to pay the required interest within the designated period. By doing so, they can avoid any potential fines, fostering a good reputation as a responsible landlord. It ultimately benefits both the landlord and their tenants.

9. Refunding the security deposit

A security deposit is usually refundable in full. However, if a landlord needs to make deductions from it, they should provide a list of acceptable deductions in the lease. Communicate to the tenants about the circumstances under which you will deduct and clarify these conditions in the lease.

It's important to note that even if the repair cost exceeds the security deposit amount, the landlord must still send a letter to the tenant explaining the damages and their intent to use the security deposit to pay for them.

10. Sending the letter and check via certified mail

As a landlord, you must return the remaining security deposit to your tenant along with an itemized letter. 

However, before they move out, ask for their forwarding address. It's always a good idea to send this letter and check via certified mail. By doing so, you ensure that you have a documented delivery record. In case of any dispute, you will have concrete proof that you have fulfilled your obligations. It helps in reducing potential conflicts and promotes transparency in the process.

Understanding the clauses of the landlord security deposit return letter

The following will help you understand the terms and clauses of the security deposit return letter. 

Address

When your tenant moves out, make sure to ask for their new address where you can send their deposit. If you need clarification on the address they gave you or you don't have it, contact them to confirm the address. This way, you can be sure that the letter and the deposit balance will reach the correct address.

Introduction

This part of the security deposit letter refers to the original lease, its effective date, the tenant's move-out date, and the security deposit amount. Enter the appropriate dates and amounts. Write in the applicable state's name, and the days you must return a security deposit under your state's laws. 

Security deposit settlement chart

This section mentions the detailed deductions from the security deposit. Each deduction should be included under the appropriate headings. Finally, calculate the amounts and determine the balance to be returned to the tenant.

1. Initial security deposit: Enter the total amount received from the tenant as a security deposit at the beginning of the lease term, apart from amounts designated and used to pay the last month's rent or for similar purposes.

2. Pet damage deposit: This section is applicable if the tenant made a pet damage deposit at the beginning of the tenancy. 

Enter the total amount you received from the tenant as a pet damage deposit. If the amount was initially included in the security deposit, do not include it again here.

3. Interest rate: Enter the applicable interest rate in your state here. This interest rate will also apply to any pet deposit you requested. Write in the amount of interest you have received on the security deposit and the pet damage deposit.

4. Original security deposit amount: Add the amount obtained from 1,2,3 above.

5. Repairs and maintenance: When listing expenses for repairs and replacements, attach pictures of the property taken during the walkthrough with the tenant.

6. Cleaning. This includes the costs of cleaning the premises, carpets, curtains, and appliances, but only to the extent that this cleaning encompasses more than normal wear and tear. Itemize cleaning costs (e.g., for curtains or carpets) as applicable from case to case.

7. Painting. This amount is the cost of repainting the premises. Deduct repair expenses from the security deposit only for damages beyond normal wear and tear, leaving those that occurred during a regular stay on the premises.

8. Missing fixtures or appliances. Use the checklist prepared at the beginning of the lease term (listing the unit's fixtures and appliances) to check for missing items. Include any amounts paid or estimates for replacing these items in this section.

9. Damaged fixtures or appliances. If you prepared a checklist at the beginning of the lease term that listed the condition of fixtures and appliances, use this list to compare the original condition to the condition at the end of the lease. Include any amounts paid or estimates for repairing these items here.

10. Pet damage. This is applicable if the tenant's pet causes any damages. 

11. Unpaid rent. This is applicable if the tenant has not paid rent to the landlord in the previous month; the landlord may deduct the amount of that unpaid rent from the security deposit. 

12. Deductions: Add the amount obtained from 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 above. 

13. Balance. The original security deposit amount (from section 4) minus any deductions (from section 12 above) by the landlord will leave a balance. This is the amount you will send to the tenant.

Send a letter even if you do not owe it to your tenant (i.e., the balance is zero or the tenant owes you money). If your tenant owes you money, it may be a good idea to draft a letter that demands payment within a certain period. 

If you owe a significant amount and are concerned about receiving it, you may contact an attorney to help ensure you receive the payment.

Conclusion of the Letter

Attach a check for the balance of the security deposit (if any). Mention "partial" if you return only part of the security deposit and "full" if you return the entire amount. Insert your name under the signature line, and sign the letter.

Enclosures

Include receipts or estimates for repair or replacement costs. Keep copies of these documents for your records

Frequently asked questions

What's a landlord security deposit return letter?

A landlord security deposit return letter lets a former tenant know they might be getting (at least some of) their deposit back. 

When it's time for a tenant to move out, it's also time to assess whether or not they're getting all or any of their security deposit back. Considering the state of the place—appliances, furnishings, fixtures, paints, and more—you can easily calculate how much you'll pay back. This document keeps the process straightforward, detailing what deductions might have been made and why. 

What information is needed to complete the landlord security deposit return letter?

  • Who's the tenant: Have their name and contact information ready.
  • Who's the landlord: Have their name and contact information ready.
  • Where's the rental property: Have the address handy.
  • What deposits the tenant paid: Know what kind of deposits they paid and what they were for.

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