Renting

Send a security deposit demand letter

Say when you moved out and what you're owed. Genie drafts the demand, we look up the landlord or management company's address, and it goes in the mail.

First-Class from $3.99 · Certified Mail $9.99 with tracking and a delivery record

Prices shown cover a one-page letter. Extra pages and applicable tax cost more; review your total before paying.

See a sample before you start.

A complete fictional example. Genie drafts your letter from your own details, and you review every word.

John Doe
123 Happy Place

Anytown, US 12345

September 16, 2026

Acme Property Management
123 Acme Way, Suite 200

Anytown, US 12345

Dear Property Management Team,

I rented 45 Maple Lane, Anytown, US 12345, and moved out on August 31, 2026. I paid a security deposit of $1,200.00 and returned the keys on the day I moved out.

My forwarding address was included in the move-out message I sent on August 31. I would appreciate confirmation that it is the address held on your records. If you need additional information to complete the account review, please identify it so I can respond promptly.

Please provide an update on the return of my deposit and an itemized explanation of any deductions you propose. Please send your response and any deposit refund to John Doe, 123 Happy Place, Anytown, US 12345. I can also be contacted at john.doe@example.com.

Sincerely,
John Doe

Draft my deposit request

What this letter is

A security deposit demand letter is a written request to a landlord for the return of a deposit, usually after the statutory deadline for returning it has passed. Most states set a return deadline (commonly 14–45 days after move-out) and require the landlord to provide an itemised statement of any deductions. Many states also require a written demand before a tenant can take the dispute to small claims court, so the letter is often the first formal step rather than an optional one.

What to put in it

  • The rental address and the dates your tenancy started and ended.
  • The deposit amount you paid and the date you paid it.
  • The date you returned the keys or vacated, and the forwarding address you gave.
  • The amount you are asking to be returned, and any deductions you dispute.
  • A specific deadline for the landlord to respond or pay.
  • A note that you are keeping a copy and a record of delivery.

Deposit disputes turn into small-claims cases, and a small-claims case runs on documents. A mailed letter with a delivery record shows the court that you asked, in writing, on a specific date — something a text message or a phone call does not establish as cleanly.

From a prompt to the post office in 3 steps.

  1. 1

    Describe it

    Say what happened in plain words. No templates to pick.

  2. 2

    Genie drafts & checks

    It writes the letter in the right tone and finds the recipient's address.

  3. 3

    Preview and send

    Approve the exact letter and we post it. Certified adds tracking and a delivery record.

Pay per letter

Choose how to mail it.

Drafting, printing, postage, and handling included. No subscription.

First-Class

$3.99 / one-page letter

A printed letter sent through USPS.

For everyday correspondence. Does not include Certified tracking.

Certified Mail

$9.99 / one-page letter

USPS tracking and a delivery record.

Keep a record of the mailing and check its delivery status.

Good to know.

What if I don't have the landlord's mailing address?

Give Genie the name of the landlord or management company and it will search for a mailing address; the address is checked against postal databases and shown to you before you pay. Address lookup relies on third-party data and is best-efforts, so confirm it looks right before approving.

How much does it cost to send?

$3.99 for a one-page First-Class letter — drafting, printing, postage and handling included. Certified Mail is $9.99 and adds USPS tracking and a record of delivery. Additional pages are $0.49 each. Prices exclude sales tax.

Can I attach my lease or move-out photos?

Yes. Attach a document or photo and it is printed and mailed behind your letter, and Genie can pull the key information out of it into the draft. Attached pages count toward the page price.

*PostalGenie is a technology tool, not a law firm. Letters generated through PostalGenie are not legal advice and may not satisfy specific legal notice requirements. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters.

Other letters Genie sends.

Send a security deposit demand letter, today.

You say it. Genie drafts and sends it.

Draft my deposit request

Disclaimers

  1. Prices are shown exclusive of sales tax; applicable sales tax is calculated and added at checkout. The base price covers a one-page letter ($3.99 First-Class, $9.99 Certified Mail); for multi-page letters, $0.49 per additional page (and a one-time $5.50 large-letter fee for 6 or more pages) are added and shown before payment. Handwriting, a voice note and read aloud are optional $0.99 add-ons each, offered where available and also shown before payment. Letters may be up to 12 pages.
  2. Genie is an automated AI system, not a person. It drafts each letter from the information you provide and does not add facts or claims you did not supply. AI-generated output may vary or contain errors; you are responsible for reviewing and approving the final letter, and no letter is mailed without your approval.
  3. Address lookup and verification rely on third-party data and are provided on a best-efforts basis. Accuracy is not guaranteed; you are responsible for confirming the recipient’s address before sending.
  4. Delivery times are estimates, not guarantees. Statutory deadlines, notice periods and filing requirements vary by state, contract and program — check the ones that apply to you.