- What if my landlord already gave back part of it?
- The letter still applies. Most state security-deposit statutes require an itemized accounting of every deduction the landlord makes, not just a number on a check. If the deductions don't match what the lease allows or aren't documented, you have a defensible claim for the difference plus, in many states, statutory damages (sometimes double or treble the wrongfully withheld amount).
- How long do I have to send the demand?
- It depends on the state, but most jurisdictions give the tenant a window of 1–6 years to make a claim against a wrongfully withheld deposit. The wizard asks for your state so the letter cites the specific deadline that applies. The sooner you send it, the stronger the record — every state's statute starts running from the deadline the landlord missed, not the date you noticed.
- What if they ignore the letter?
- Then you have a documented demand on a date you can prove, which is what small-claims court will ask for if you escalate. Many states also award attorney's fees and statutory damages on top of the deposit when the landlord ignored a proper demand — so the letter doesn't just ask for the money, it puts the landlord on notice that ignoring it is more expensive than paying.
- Will this work in my state?
- We cover the top 10 US states by population today (CA, TX, FL, NY, PA, IL, OH, GA, NC, MI) with the specific statute citation and deadline. For other states the letter still cites the general principle (most states have parallel statutes) but skips the specific citation. Coverage is expanding — the wizard tells you up front what your state gets before you pay.