- Price
- from €11.95incl. VAT, 2 pages included
- Delivery time
- 3 to 5 business daysusually, after posting
- Proof
- Delivery record+ tracking and proof of mailing
- Handed to the post
- Upload by 9:00 Pacificon a US business day, in that day's print run
- Counts as
- Domestic USPS mailprinted and posted in United States
Why demand your deposit by certified mail?
State law sets how long a landlord has to return the deposit or list the deductions, and what happens when the landlord misses the date. Some states also ask you to give a forwarding address in writing first.
A certified letter shows when the landlord received your forwarding address and your demand. That date is what a small claims judge looks at.
How long does your landlord have?
| State | Landlord's deadline | What you should know |
|---|---|---|
| California | 21 days after you move out | Itemized deductions with receipts; up to twice the deposit as a penalty for bad faith |
| Texas | 30 days after you surrender the property | Give your forwarding address in writing; bad faith costs the landlord three times the amount withheld |
| Florida | 15 days, or 30 days to send a claim by certified mail | You have 15 days to object to the landlord's claim in writing |
| New York | 14 days for an itemized statement | A landlord who misses it loses the right to keep any part |
How do you send it?
- Check your state's deadline and count from your move-out date.
- Send the demand to the notice address in your lease.
- Upload the letter as a PDF and choose the United States.
- If no answer comes, file in small claims with the tracking record.
Sample security deposit demand letter
Give a deadline of 10 to 14 days and name the state law that applies.
[Landlord's name]
[Notice address from the lease]
[Date]
Re: Security deposit for [rental address]
Dear [landlord's name],
I moved out of [rental address] on [date] and returned the keys on [date]. My security deposit was [amount].
Under [state law], you had [number] days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. I have received neither.
Please send the full deposit to the address below within 14 days of receiving this letter. If I do not receive it, I will file a claim in small claims court for the deposit and any penalty the law allows.
My forwarding address is:
[US address]
Sincerely,
[Name]
What to check before you send
- Put a US address in the sender block of your letter. USPS Certified Mail is a domestic service, so the return address must be in the United States: your US home or office, a relative's address or a US mail forwarding address.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to send a deposit demand by certified mail?
Usually not, but it shows when the landlord received your address and your demand. Check your lease for a notice clause.
Does Florida require certified mail?
For the landlord: a landlord who wants to keep part of the deposit must send the claim by certified mail within 30 days.
How long does a California landlord have?
21 days after you move out, with an itemized statement of any deductions.
Can I send it after moving abroad?
Yes. You upload the PDF from anywhere. The sender address on the letter must be a US address, which can also serve as your forwarding address.
What if the landlord still does not pay?
File in small claims court in the county where the rental is. Bring the lease, photos and the Certified Mail record.