Get your deposit back, plus the penalty if they blew the deadline
Most states allow 1x to 3x damages when a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit. We generate the demand letter for your state in about three minutes, citing the exact statute, the deadline they missed, and the penalty they now owe.
Preview free · $15 for full letter · $29 for recovery kit · No subscription
Kit includes Letter access. No double-pay.
100 Main Street, San Francisco, CA
Your generated letter (example shown for California)
Which state was the rental in?
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Pricing
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Preview
- Full letter preview on screen
- State statute citation
- Calculated deadline & penalty
- No signup required
Demand Letter
- Everything in Preview
- Downloadable PDF, formatted for print
- Certified mail instructions included
- Landlord response tracker
- Follow-up email template
Recovery Kit
- Everything in Demand Letter
- Small claims filing checklist
- Evidence organizer & photo log
- State-specific court forms guide
- Escalation script for phone calls
| Feature | Preview$0 | Demand Letter$15 | Recovery Kit$29 |
|---|---|---|---|
| State statute, deadline & penalty calculation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Letter preview on screen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Downloadable PDF, formatted for print | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Certified mail instructions | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landlord response tracker + follow-up email | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Small claims filing checklist | – | – | ✓ |
| Evidence organizer & photo log | – | – | ✓ |
| State-specific court forms guide | – | – | ✓ |
| Escalation script for phone calls | – | – | ✓ |
Both tiers backed by our 60-day money-back guarantee. Reply to your receipt. That's the whole process.
What you actually get
A letter your ex-landlord can't ignore
Every package includes a state-specific demand letter that cites the exact statute, an itemization demand, a small-claims template, and an Attorney-General complaint path. Below is a sample Washington letter.
Dear Ms. Morgan,
Pursuant to Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act at RCW 59.18.280, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit (or provide a written itemized statement of deductions) within 21 days of the tenant's move-out. I vacated the referenced unit on February 28, 2026. As of today, 53 days have elapsed and no deposit or itemized statement has been provided.
The specific remedy demanded, the forfeiture rule that applies, and the small-claims escalation are set out below…
Evidence checklist
What to attach: deposit recovery
- Signed lease agreement
- Move-in & move-out walkthrough photos
- Written notice of forwarding address
- Deposit receipt / cancelled check
- Proof of move-out date
- Certified-mail receipt of this letter
Escalation path
If the landlord doesn't pay
- Day 14Final notice + small-claims warning
- Day 21File small-claims petition
- Day 30AG Consumer Protection complaint
- Day 45Local tenants-union referral (optional)
Names, addresses, and unit numbers are illustrative. Your letter uses your actual case details and the specific statute, deadline, and penalty rule for your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is security deposit dispute legal, and is this legal advice?
Disputing a wrongfully withheld deposit is your right under every state's landlord-tenant statute. Most states also give you 2x or 3x the withheld amount as statutory damages if the landlord acted in bad faith. Our letter cites the specific statute and penalty multiplier for your state. That said, this tool is a self-help document generator, not legal advice about your specific situation. For claims over your state's small-claims limit, or disputes involving discrimination or retaliation, talk to a tenant-rights attorney.
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit?
Depends on the state. Anywhere from 14 to 60 days after move-out, with most states requiring return within 21–30 days. The tool calculates the exact deadline for your state once you pick it in step 1. For the full state-by-state table with statute citations and penalty multipliers, see how long landlords have to return your deposit, by state.
What if they sent an itemized statement I disagree with?
You can still dispute. The demand letter rejects disputed deductions and requires the landlord to produce receipts, photos, or other proof of the damage claimed. A lot of itemized deductions don't survive scrutiny, especially charges for "normal wear and tear," which landlords cannot legally deduct in any state.
How much can I realistically recover?
Often your full deposit plus statutory penalties. In roughly 20 states, you can recover 2x or 3x the withheld amount as damages, plus court costs and sometimes attorney fees. A properly cited demand letter frequently prompts settlement before a lawsuit, because the landlord doesn't want to risk the multiplier.
What happens after I purchase?
Stripe delivers the tier to the email on your receipt within minutes. The $15 Demand Letter is a personalized PDF cited to your state's statute. The $29 Recovery Kit adds the small-claims filing guide, state AG complaint template, evidence checklist, and a certified-mail tracking sheet. No account, no login, no subscription.
Can I take them to small claims court?
Yes. Most states' small-claims limits ($5,000 to $25,000) are well above a typical security deposit. Filing fees run $30–$75. Landlords frequently settle between filing and the hearing date to avoid the court appearance. The Recovery Kit includes the filing checklist and evidence organizer.
Does a demand letter actually work?
Often, yes. A well-drafted letter citing the specific statute and penalty multiplier signals to the landlord that you know your rights and are prepared to sue. Many landlords pay within the stated deadline rather than risk 2x or 3x damages plus court costs. For the ones who don't, the Recovery Kit preps you for small claims.
Will this hurt my rental history or credit?
No. Disputing a wrongfully withheld deposit is a statutory right, not a negative mark. Landlords cannot lawfully retaliate against tenants for exercising legal rights, and most states have explicit anti-retaliation statutes on the books. The only way this affects credit is if the landlord sent an unpaid balance to collections, and disputing actually helps you contest that.
How is this different from a free template online or LegalZoom?
Free templates rarely cite your state's actual penalty statute or calculate the deadline correctly, so they read as generic and landlords ignore them. LegalZoom starts around $100 for a lawyer-review version. We're $15 flat, state-specific, with the exact RCW or Civ. Code or Prop. Code citation and the multiplier that matches your state.
Do you keep my data?
No. Every field you fill in stays on your device. The tool runs entirely in your browser. We never send your name, address, landlord details, or deposit amount to any server. Close the tab and it's gone.
$15 letter · $29 kit
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