Kansas Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Kansas, the landlord must return the deposit within 14 calendar days (landlord proposes to retain any portion for expenses/damages/other allowable charges other than rent; hard cap remains 30 days after termination, delivery of possession, and demand) or 30 calendar days (outer maximum for return of any balance when landlord is retaining for non-rent charges; also the window for tenant to make demand) or 30 calendar days (if the tenant does not demand within 30 days after termination, landlord must mail the portion due to the tenant at the last known address). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 14 calendar days (landlord proposes to retain any portion for expenses/damages/other allowable charges other than rent; hard cap remains 30 days after termination, delivery of possession, and demand): after the determination of the amount of expenses, damages, or other charges (other than rent); 30 calendar days (outer maximum for return of any balance when landlord is retaining for non-rent charges; also the window for tenant to make demand): after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant; 30 calendar days (if the tenant does not demand within 30 days after termination, landlord must mail the portion due to the tenant at the last known address): after termination of the tenancy (no tenant demand). The verified state formula is tenant may recover the portion of the security deposit due together with damages equal to 1.5 times the amount wrongfully withheld under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550.
Key facts
| Deadline | 14 calendar days (landlord proposes to retain any portion for expenses/damages/other allowable charges other than rent; hard cap remains 30 days after termination, delivery of possession, and demand); trigger: after the determination of the amount of expenses, damages, or other charges (other than rent) |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 30 calendar days (outer maximum for return of any balance when landlord is retaining for non-rent charges; also the window for tenant to make demand); trigger: after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant |
| Deadline (branch 3) | 30 calendar days (if the tenant does not demand within 30 days after termination, landlord must mail the portion due to the tenant at the last known address); trigger: after termination of the tenancy (no tenant demand) |
| Penalty formula | tenant may recover the portion of the security deposit due together with damages equal to 1.5 times the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | Unfurnished dwelling: not more than one month's periodic rent. Furnished (tenant uses landlord-owned furniture): not more than 1.5 months' rent. Additional pet security deposit not to exceed 1/2 of one month's rent if pets permitted. Separate schedule may apply for certain federally subsidized municipal housing authorities. |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (District Court small claims procedure (K.S.A. 61-2703)) in District Court (small claims procedure) |
| Statute citation | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 |
Statute says
Upon termination of the tenancy, any security deposit held by the landlord may be applied to the payment of accrued rent and the amount of damages which the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with K.S.A. 58-2555, and amendments thereto, and the rental agreement, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant. If the landlord proposes to retain any portion of the security deposit for expenses, damages or other legally allowable charges under the provisions of the rental agreement, other than rent, the landlord shall return the balance of the security deposit to the tenant within 14 days after the determination of the amount of such expenses, damages or other charges, but in no event to exceed 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by the tenant. If the tenant does not make such demand within 30 days after termination of the tenancy, the landlord shall mail that portion of the security deposit due the tenant to the tenant's last known address.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Kansas is $1,060 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Johnson County: $1,434
- Sedgwick County: $998
- Shawnee County: $1,000
- Douglas County: $1,099
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,060 before applying the state formula: tenant may recover the portion of the security deposit due together with damages equal to 1.5 times the amount wrongfully withheld.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | Johnson County District Court, Olathe | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Sedgwick | Sedgwick County District Court, Wichita | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Shawnee | Shawnee County District Court, Topeka | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the district court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See all 5 county small claims courts and filing fees
Free Kansas template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Kansas law (Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [14 calendar days / 30 calendar days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Wichita have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Kansas law.
Does Overland Park have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Kansas law.
Does Kansas City have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Kansas law.
Does Olathe have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Kansas law.
What is the small claims limit in Kansas?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Kansas small claims courts and filing fees
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, Topeka, Lawrence, Shawnee, Lenexa.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Tenant resources
- Kansas Legal Serviceslegal aid, 316-267-3975
- Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.hotline in Topeka
- Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protectionag consumer, 785-296-2215
- Kansas Judicial Council Small Claims Formscourt self help