Douglas, Kansas: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Douglas County District Court in Lawrence. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $10,000. Kansas return time: 14 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,048. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Douglas County District Court |
|---|---|
| City | Lawrence |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| E-filing | Yes, see filing page |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 5 years |
| Deposit statute | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $10,000 (District Court small claims procedure (K.S.A. 61-2703) only).
Your dates and your letter
Calculate your deadline and next letter
Your free letter
Get a DOCX letter with the dates and amount you entered.
Already sent a letter? Tell us if it worked
Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 14 days | after the determination of the amount of expenses, damages, or other charges (other than rent) |
| I asked for my deposit within 30 days after my tenancy ended, and I handed the keys back | 30 days | after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant |
| I did not ask for my deposit within 30 days after my tenancy ended | 30 days | after termination of the tenancy (no tenant demand) |
Kansas return rule: 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). Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Douglas County District Court. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Douglas.
- The Kansas business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Kansas Secretary of State
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Douglas. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $904 | $452 | $1,356 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $1,048 | $524 | $1,572 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $1,462 | $731 | $2,193 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $1,707 | $853.50 | $2,560.50 | Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Douglas compare with other Kansas counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,048: rank 3 of 5 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 50.5% of households rent in Douglas.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Johnson | $1,432 |
| Wyandotte | $1,078 |
| Douglas | $1,048 |
| Sedgwick | $982 |
| Shawnee | $980 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 5 of 5 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Douglas
- Baldwin City
- Eudora
- Lawrence
- Lecompton
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Kansas Legal Services, Inc.: free or low-cost civil legal help for eligible Kansans, including landlord/tenant disputes and housing cases such as eviction and foreclosure
- Community Housing of Wyandotte County, Inc.: HUD-approved rental housing counseling
- Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas: HUD-approved rental housing counseling
- Cambridge Credit Counseling Corporation - Wichita Branch: HUD-approved rental housing counseling
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Douglas?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Douglas?
Douglas County District Court is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.