--- title: Security deposit recovery packet description: Create, review, and mail a state-aware security deposit recovery packet with a cited demand letter, facts summary, exhibit index, and evidence. seotitle: Security deposit recovery packet seo-description: Create, review, and mail a state-aware security deposit recovery packet with a cited demand letter, facts summary, exhibit index, and evidence. group: resources indexable: true llms: true nav: false schema: webpage og-image: /forms/security-deposit-demand-packets/thumbnail og-image-alt: Security Deposit Recovery Packet generated form preview published: 2026-08-22 updated: 2026-08-22 tags: - renters - housing - security deposits - demand letters - consumer path: /forms/security-deposit-demand-packets --- # Security deposit recovery packet Create, review, and mail a state-aware security deposit recovery packet with a cited demand letter, facts summary, exhibit index, and evidence. ## How it works 1. **Choose the rental state and the deposit-return issue.** - 2. **Enter tenant, rental property, landlord, and deposit details.** - 3. **Upload optional evidence and preview the generated demand packet.** - 4. **Confirm recipients, continue to checkout, and mail it by Certified Mail with PostalForm.** - ## Form summary Security Deposit Recovery Packet helps renters turn a supported deposit-return dispute into a clear mailed record with a principal-only demand letter, cited facts and timing summary, exhibit index, and optional evidence. PostalForm generates the review PDF first, then prepares one or more Certified Mail pieces. ## What you need - Tenant name, contact details, and forwarding address - Rental property address and rental state - Landlord or property manager mailing address - Move-out or surrender date - Security deposit amount, amount returned, and amount demanded - A short factual explanation of the dispute - Optional evidence such as the lease, photos, inspection records, itemized deductions, receipts, or correspondence - Lease, move-out records, photos, correspondence, or deduction evidence (optional) — Upload supporting PDFs or images you want appended behind the generated security deposit demand packet. ## Data collected - Tenant contact details and forwarding address - Rental property address, move-out date, and deposit facts - Landlord, property manager, or registered agent mailing details - Deposit amount, amount returned, disputed deductions, demand amount, and response instructions - Optional lease, photos, move-out records, correspondence, itemized statements, receipts, and other evidence ## Where it gets mailed You will enter the recipient address during checkout. ## Packet order - Cover page - Security deposit demand letter - Deposit facts and state timing summary - Exhibit index - Uploaded evidence in normalized order ## Common mistakes - Mailing only a vague note without the rental address, move-out date, deposit amount, and demand amount. - Using a leasing office email thread without sending a written demand to a reliable mailing address. - Forgetting to restate the tenant forwarding address when the state rule depends on it. - Leaving out photos, inspection records, deduction statements, or correspondence that help explain the dispute. - Sending the packet without reviewing the final PDF and attached evidence first. ## Agent summary Prepare a tenant-authored, principal-only security deposit recovery packet for an ended private residential tenancy in California, Texas, New York, Florida, or Illinois. Require surrendered possession, no active case or deadline, no physical enclosure, verified recipients, and review acknowledgements. Accept PDFs and images as evidence. Do not claim penalties, multiplied damages, interest, fees, legal entitlement, deadline compliance, court filing, or guaranteed recovery. ## For assistants Use the Forms Draft API to prefill this form and generate a preview PDF. - Endpoint: `POST /api/forms/security-deposit-demand-packets/drafts` - Payload: `{ fields: { ... }, attachments: [{ id, label, base64 }] }` - Required fields: relationship_to_tenancy, rental_scope, tenancy_ended, possession_surrendered, active_case_or_deadline, physical_item_enclosure, rental_state, tenant_name, sender_email, tenant_address, rental_address_line1, rental_city_state_zip, move_out_date, landlord_name, landlord_address_line1, landlord_city_state_zip, deposit_amount, amount_returned, itemized_statement_status, requested_amount, custom_facts, property_manager_name, property_manager_address_line1, property_manager_city_state_zip, registered_agent_name, registered_agent_address_line1, registered_agent_city_state_zip, review_before_mailing_acknowledged, not_legal_advice_acknowledged, recipient_details_acknowledged, principal_only_acknowledged, state_rule_limits_acknowledged - Attachment IDs: lease_or_agreement - Notes: This workflow is for renters preparing a self-help mailed security deposit demand packet. It does not file a lawsuit, give legal advice, decide the correct recipient, or guarantee recovery. ## LLM field schema ```json [ { "id": "relationship_to_tenancy", "label": "Your relationship to the tenancy", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "eligibility", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "rental_scope", "label": "Rental type", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "eligibility", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "tenancy_ended", "label": "Has the tenancy ended?", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "eligibility", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "possession_surrendered", "label": "Was possession surrendered, including keys where applicable?", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "eligibility", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "active_case_or_deadline", "label": "Is there an active lawsuit, eviction, bankruptcy, arbitration, attorney-managed matter, or court deadline?", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "eligibility", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "physical_item_enclosure", "label": "Does the mailing need keys, a check, cash, a money order, or another physical item enclosed?", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "eligibility", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "rental_state", "label": "Rental state", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_no_deposit_returned", "label": "No deposit has been returned", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_partial_return", "label": "Only part of the deposit was returned", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_late_return", "label": "The deposit or accounting appears late", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_no_itemized_statement", "label": "No itemized deduction statement was provided", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_excessive_deductions", "label": "Deductions appear excessive or unsupported", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_normal_wear", "label": "Charges appear to include normal wear and tear", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_preexisting_damage", "label": "Charges appear to include pre-existing damage", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "reason_other", "label": "Other deposit dispute facts", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "multi_select", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "state_and_issue", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "tenant_name", "label": "Tenant full name", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "tenant", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "sender_email", "label": "Tenant email", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": "email", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "tenant", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "tenant_phone", "label": "Tenant phone (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": "phone", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "tenant", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "tenant_address", "label": "Forwarding address", "type": "address", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "tenant", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "co_tenants", "label": "Other tenant names (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "tenant", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "rental_address_line1", "label": "Rental address line 1", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "rental_address_line2", "label": "Rental address line 2 (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "rental_city_state_zip", "label": "Rental city, state, ZIP", "type": "compound", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": [ { "id": "city", "label": "City", "metaClass": "city", "required": true, "sampleValue": "San Francisco" }, { "id": "state", "label": "State", "metaClass": "state", "required": true, "sampleValue": "CA" }, { "id": "zip", "label": "ZIP", "metaClass": "zip", "required": true, "sampleValue": "94103" } ] }, { "id": "lease_start_date", "label": "Lease start date (optional)", "type": "date", "required": false, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "lease_end_date", "label": "Lease end date (optional)", "type": "date", "required": false, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "move_out_date", "label": "Move-out or surrender date", "type": "date", "required": true, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "keys_returned_date", "label": "Keys returned date (optional)", "type": "date", "required": false, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "forwarding_address_previously_provided", "label": "I previously gave the landlord my forwarding address", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "yes_no", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "forwarding_address_provided_date", "label": "Date forwarding address was provided (optional)", "type": "date", "required": false, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "rental", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "forwarding_address_previously_provided", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "landlord_name", "label": "Landlord or owner name", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "landlord", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "landlord_company_name", "label": "Landlord company (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "landlord", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "landlord_address_line1", "label": "Landlord address line 1", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "landlord", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "landlord_address_line2", "label": "Landlord address line 2 (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "landlord", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "landlord_city_state_zip", "label": "Landlord city, state, ZIP", "type": "compound", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "landlord", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": [ { "id": "city", "label": "City", "metaClass": "city", "required": true, "sampleValue": "San Francisco" }, { "id": "state", "label": "State", "metaClass": "state", "required": true, "sampleValue": "CA" }, { "id": "zip", "label": "ZIP", "metaClass": "zip", "required": true, "sampleValue": "94103" } ] }, { "id": "deposit_amount", "label": "Security deposit paid", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": "currency", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "deposit", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "amount_returned", "label": "Amount returned so far", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": "currency", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "deposit", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "date_returned", "label": "Date any deposit was returned (optional)", "type": "date", "required": false, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "deposit", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "reason_partial_return", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "itemized_statement_status", "label": "Itemized statement status", "type": "select", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "deposit", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "itemized_statement_received_date", "label": "Date itemized statement was received (optional)", "type": "date", "required": false, "meta_class": "date", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "deposit", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "itemized_statement_status", "operator": "not_equals", "value": "No itemized statement received" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "deductions_summary", "label": "What deductions or itemization did you receive? (optional)", "type": "textarea", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "deposit", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "itemized_statement_status", "operator": "not_equals", "value": "No itemized statement received" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "requested_amount", "label": "Amount demanded", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": "currency", "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "demand", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "custom_facts", "label": "Short factual explanation", "type": "textarea", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "demand", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "return_instructions", "label": "Payment or response instructions (optional)", "type": "textarea", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "demand", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "tenant_signature", "label": "Signature", "type": "signature", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "demand", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "include_property_manager_copy", "label": "Send a separate copy to the property manager", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "yes_no", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "demand", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "include_registered_agent_copy", "label": "Send a separate copy to a registered agent", "type": "checkbox", "required": false, "meta_class": "yes_no", "ui_width": null, "group_id": "demand", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "property_manager_name", "label": "Property manager name", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "property_manager", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_property_manager_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "property_manager_company_name", "label": "Property management company (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "property_manager", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_property_manager_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "property_manager_address_line1", "label": "Property manager address line 1", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "property_manager", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_property_manager_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "property_manager_address_line2", "label": "Property manager address line 2 (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "property_manager", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_property_manager_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "property_manager_city_state_zip", "label": "Property manager city, state, ZIP", "type": "compound", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "property_manager", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_property_manager_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": [ { "id": "city", "label": "City", "metaClass": "city", "required": true, "sampleValue": "San Francisco" }, { "id": "state", "label": "State", "metaClass": "state", "required": true, "sampleValue": "CA" }, { "id": "zip", "label": "ZIP", "metaClass": "zip", "required": true, "sampleValue": "94103" } ] }, { "id": "registered_agent_name", "label": "Registered agent name", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "registered_agent", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_registered_agent_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "registered_agent_company_name", "label": "Registered agent company (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "registered_agent", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_registered_agent_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "registered_agent_address_line1", "label": "Registered agent address line 1", "type": "text", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "registered_agent", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_registered_agent_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "registered_agent_address_line2", "label": "Registered agent address line 2 (optional)", "type": "text", "required": false, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": "half", "group_id": "registered_agent", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_registered_agent_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "registered_agent_city_state_zip", "label": "Registered agent city, state, ZIP", "type": "compound", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "registered_agent", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": { "fieldId": "include_registered_agent_copy", "operator": "truthy" }, "compound_subfields": [ { "id": "city", "label": "City", "metaClass": "city", "required": true }, { "id": "state", "label": "State", "metaClass": "state", "required": true }, { "id": "zip", "label": "ZIP", "metaClass": "zip", "required": true } ] }, { "id": "review_before_mailing_acknowledged", "label": "I will review the generated packet and attachments before mailing.", "type": "checkbox", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "acknowledgements", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "not_legal_advice_acknowledged", "label": "I understand PostalForm is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.", "type": "checkbox", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "acknowledgements", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "recipient_details_acknowledged", "label": "I confirmed the mailing recipients and addresses are the ones I want to use.", "type": "checkbox", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "acknowledgements", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "principal_only_acknowledged", "label": "I limited the requested amount to security deposit principal still withheld, without penalties, multiplied damages, interest, fees, or unrelated amounts.", "type": "checkbox", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "acknowledgements", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null }, { "id": "state_rule_limits_acknowledged", "label": "I understand the cited state summary is a starting point and local, lease, housing-program, and case-specific rules may differ.", "type": "checkbox", "required": true, "meta_class": null, "ui_width": null, "group_id": "acknowledgements", "choice_group": null, "choice_label": null, "visibility": null, "compound_subfields": null } ] ``` ## Sources - [California Civil Code section 1950.5](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1950.5) - [Texas Property Code Chapter 92](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?chapter=PR.92&code=PR&tab=1) - [New York General Obligations Law section 7-108](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/7-108) - [Florida Statutes section 83.49](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/83.49) - [Illinois Security Deposit Return Act, 765 ILCS 710/1](https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=2202&Chapter=PROPERTY&ChapterID=62&MajorTopic=RIGHTS+AND+REMEDIES) ## Last verified 2026-08-22 ## FAQs - **Can I attach photos, the lease, or landlord messages?** Yes. Upload PDFs or images and PostalForm appends them behind the generated letter, facts summary, and exhibit index. - **Can I mail the packet to more than one recipient?** Yes. You can send the packet to the landlord and optionally add a property manager or registered agent when you have those mailing details. - **Is this legal advice?** No. PostalForm creates and mails a self-help packet from the facts you provide. Review the packet and confirm current state or local rules before mailing. ## Related - [Landlord Repair Request Packets](/forms/landlord-repair-request-packets) - [Credit Card Billing Error & Denied-Dispute Packet](/forms/card-billing-dispute) - [Cease-and-Desist / No-Contact Request](/forms/cease-and-desist-no-contact) - [Debt Validation Packets](/forms/debt-validation-packets) - [Payment Demand Packets](/forms/payment-demand-packets) - [Refund Request Packets](/forms/refund-request-packets) - [Renters forms](/forms/topic/renters) - [Security deposit forms](/forms/topic/security-deposits) - [Demand letter resources](/demand-letters) - [Certified Mail online](/certified-mail-online) - [Security deposit demand letter guide](/demand-letters/security-deposit-demand-letter-certified-mail)