Demand letter
Short answer
A demand letter is a written request that explains what happened, what the sender wants, and how the recipient can respond. For a security deposit, it should be factual, calm, and tied to records. It is not a lawsuit and it is not legal advice.
What it means
A demand letter works best when it is easy to verify. It should identify the rental, the deposit, the move-out record, the disputed deductions, and the requested next step. It should avoid threats, insults, and inflated claims. The letter can cite the state rule, but the citation should come from verified state data. A clear letter may resolve the dispute or prepare a cleaner record if the tenant later escalates. It should read like a business record: direct, calm, and tied to documents the tenant can show again if the dispute moves forward. The best version is specific without sounding hostile.
When it is not this
- It is not a court complaint.
- It is not a substitute for checking the state rule.
- It is not stronger because it sounds aggressive.