Free Security Deposit Refund Letter

This is a letter from a tenant to a former landlord requesting the return of the security deposit and providing the landlord with the tenant's forwarding address or other delivery instructions.

Use the Security Deposit Refund Letter document if:

You want to provide the landlord with the tenant's forwarding address in writing, which is often necessary to receive a refund of a security deposit.
You want to provide the landlord with alternative instructions for the delivery of a security deposit.

Related Help Articles	Related Documents	More Information
Apartment Maintenance Responsibilities Whether you are a renter or landlord, you'll want to use a rental or lease agreement to outline each party's responsibilities for apartment maintenance. When a rental property is well-kept, renters live in a healthy environment and can expect to get their deposit returned, while landlords are ensured that their property retains its value. With an Apartment Rental Agreement, both parties know what actions to follow in order to avoid conflict. Read more How to Make a Complaint to Landlord for Rental Property If your landlord fails to fulfill his or her duties as stated in your rental or lease agreement, put your complaint in writing, and if possible take pictures of the problem situation. Be sure to keep copies for your records, because if your landlord does not respond to your complaints... Read more How to Get your Security Deposit Back from your Landlord When you enter a rental or lease agreement, you'll usually have to give your landlord a security deposit as collateral. This means that if you cause any damage to the rental property while you are living in it, your landlord can use the deposit to pay for repairs. On the other... Read more
Rent to Own Agreement This Lease with Option to Purchase is a lease agreement that provides the tenant with the right to purchase the landlord's property during the lease term. This form is designed for easy use because it automatically provides several standard provisions. Read more Notice of Exercise of Option to Purchase This document is used to notify a Property Owner (Lessor) that the Tenant(Lessee) would like to exercise their option to purchase the property. The option to purchase must have be included in the original Lease or an amendment to the Lease in order to use this form. Read more Sublease Agreement The standard form Sublease agreement between a landlord, tenant and subtenant explains the rights and obligations of each party regarding the rental of property. Read more
Return of Security Deposit Security Deposit Refund Letter Signing Instructions Return of Security Deposit After the Tenant moves out, the Landlord is usually allowed to charge the expense of any necessary cleaning or repair of damages against the Tenant's security deposit. Depending on individual state law, the Landlord must, within a specified number of days ranging from 14 to 30, either return the entire deposit, or provide a partial return along with a written accounting of the amount withheld. However, in order for the Tenant to benefit from these Landlord requirements, the Tenant should provide the Landlord with written notice of the Tenant's forwarding address. If the Tenant fails to do so, the Landlord should nevertheless mail the deposit or the accounting to the Tenant's "last known address" (the rental property). Either the post office will forward the parcel to the Tenant, or else return it to the Landlord, which postmarked envelope is the Landlord's proof of making the attempt. Security Deposit Refund Letter A security deposit is an amount of money given to the Landlord by the Tenant that can be used by the Landlord to offset unpaid rental payments due to a default or premature vacation by the Tenant, as well as for necessary repairs and cleaning. Most states limit the amount that can be collected to one or two months' rent. This cap may differ depending on the type of lease (more can be collected for a long-term lease, where the property is furnished, or where the Tenant will have a pet or waterbed, etc.). In addition, some states require that the security deposit be retained in a separate account, and sometimes, in an interest-bearing account. A few states require that the Landlord inform the Tenant of the name of the banking institution where the funds will be held. Signing Instructions The Security Deposit Refund Letter should be signed by the Tenant(s). A copy of the Letter should be retained for the Tenants' records. Keep a copy of all other correspondence and information related to the lease at least until the appropriate refund is received. For example, keep a copy of the lease, the inspection checklist (if any) and other evidence useful to establish the proper refund amount. Maintain a written summary of all telephone conversations. Consider sending the Letter by certified mail if it may be necessary to prove that the Landlord received the Letter.

Featured Lawyers

Jonathan Alan Blau
Santa Monica, California
Services: Document Review, Free Initial Consultation, General Consultation.
See profile

Bridget J. Hauserman
West Hollywood, California
Services:
See profile

Robert Mirque
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Services:
See profile

Find more Featured lawyers

Feedback

Are you a Lawyer?
Provide Feedback on this document and join your fellow contributors.

RocketLawyer.com™ provides information and software only.
This site is not a "lawyer referral service" and does not provide or participate in any legal representation.

Use of RocketLawyer.com is subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Free Security Deposit Refund Letter

Apartment Maintenance Responsibilities

How to Make a Complaint to Landlord for Rental Property

How to Get your Security Deposit Back from your Landlord

Rent to Own Agreement

Notice of Exercise of Option to Purchase

Sublease Agreement

Return of Security Deposit

Security Deposit Refund Letter

Signing Instructions