Step 1: figure out when you can send your demand letter

Step 1: figure out when you can send your demand letter

If your landlord does not send you your security deposit back on time, you can send a written letter, called a "demand letter", asking for your security deposit. You cannot send the demand letter until the landlord's deadline to return your security deposit has passed. The landlord's deadline depends on whether or not your have a lease.

Tenants with leases

If you have a lease, the landlord must either

  • return your security deposit or
  • send you a written list of damage and the cost to repair

within 30 days of the end of your lease.  This means that even if you leave before your lease is up, your landlord still has 30 days from the last day of the lease to return your security deposit.

Example: Mary's lease is up on May 31. She moves out on April 30. Her landlord has until June 30 to return her security deposit.

Tenants without leases

If you do not have a lease, the landlord must either

  • return your security deposit or
  • send you a written list of damage and the cost to repair

within 30 days of the end of your tenancy.

Example: Mary has paid rent through  April 30. She moves out on April 30. Her landlord has until May 30 to return her security deposit.