Highland County, Virginia: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Highland General and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Combined Courts in Monterey. 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 $5,000. Virginia return time: 45 days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $715. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Highland General and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Combined Courts
City	Monterey
Address	165 West Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465-0088
Phone	(540) 468-2445
Hours	8:30AM - 4:30PM
Statewide filing fee	Current court fee schedule
Small claims limit	$5,000 (statewide)
State deposit return deadline	45 days after Termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last.
Time limit to sue	3 years
Deposit statute	Va. Code § 55.1-1226 (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Title 55.1, Chapter 12)

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: $5,000 (statewide).

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Virginia small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

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Details of the return rules

Virginia statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
Deposit return	45 days	Termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last

Virginia return rule: 45 days. Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Highland General and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Combined Courts. 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 Highland County.
The Virginia business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Virginia State Corporation Commission

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.

Check the Virginia filing procedure before you go.

Court forms

Service methods: constable or sheriff.

Procedure source (medium confidence): The amount one must pay to file a case and serve process may vary, depending upon the court. Ask the clerk of court about the cost.

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 Highland County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
2	$715	Formula requires case facts	Check the formula	Check the applicable limit and remedy
3	$852	Formula requires case facts	Check the formula	Check the applicable limit and remedy

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 Highland County compare with other Virginia counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $715: rank 80 of 95 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 11.9% of households rent in Highland County.

Highland County two-bedroom rent $715, rank 80 of 95 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Dickenson County	$718
Sussex County	$718
Highland County	$715
Wythe County	$715
Lee County	$714
Charles City County	$698

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 95 of 133 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Highland County

Monterey

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

Virginia Legal Aid - statewide intake network: Statewide phone routing to the local legal aid office for free civil legal help for eligible residents, including housing and eviction problems; this network entry overlaps the individually listed Virginia Legal Aid Society.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Highland County?

The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page

Where do I file a deposit claim in Highland County?

Highland General and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Combined Courts 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.