If you disagree with damages claimed against your security deposit, you need to write a letter to landlord to dispute damages claimed within 7 days.
If the landlord does not refund your security deposit in full after you have given him your forwarding address, he must (within 30 days of your vacating the property) send you a letter with a list of damages.
Our sample letter below addresses each item diputed.
Refer to our Renters Rights page for tenant information. and our Letter to Landlord page for other sample letters.
TO:__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Your letter of damages for the following property refers:
___________________________________________________
Your letter with the list of damages dated ______________ was received by me on this date _____________.
I do not agree with the following claims made by you:
Claim of damage: ______________________________________
Amount: ________________
My reason for dispute: ___________________________________
Claim of damage: ______________________________________
Amount: ________________
My reason for dispute: ___________________________________
Claim of damage: ______________________________________
Amount: ________________
My reason for dispute: ___________________________________
The total amount which will be disputed by me is _________________
I therefore expect the security deposit to be refunded to the amount of ____________
For further discussion I can be contacted on the following telephone numbers:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Sincerely,
______________________
Tenant
______________________
Date
As with all letters to landlord our advice is to send it by registered mail and to retain proof of mailing and copies of letters.
There is no reason for you to simply accept deductions made against your security deposit. Your Letter to Landlord to Dispute Damages Claimed may well be enough to ensure your refund.
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