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Give My Deposit Back

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Texas security deposit demand letter

This is the body of the letter, with your details in brackets. Sentences marked "Only if" appear only when your answers match. The letter is sent in your name.

I was a tenant at [rental address]. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit amount]. I surrendered the premises on [surrender date]. I gave you a written statement of my forwarding address for the purpose of refunding the security deposit on [forwarding address date].

Under section 92.103(a) of the Texas Property Code, except as provided by section 92.107, a landlord must refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises. Section 92.107(a) provides that the landlord is not obligated to return the deposit or give a written description of damages and charges until the tenant gives the landlord a written statement of the tenant's forwarding address for the purpose of refunding the deposit. Under section 92.104(c), if the landlord retains all or part of a security deposit under that section, the landlord must give the tenant the balance of the deposit, if any, together with a written description and itemized list of all deductions.

More than thirty days have passed since I surrendered the premises and since I gave you my forwarding address.

[Only if nothing received] I have not received my deposit or a written description and itemized list of deductions.[Only if partial, no itemization] I received $[amount returned] on [date returned]. I have not received a written description and itemized list of deductions.

Section 92.109(d) provides that a landlord who fails either to return a security deposit or to provide a written description and itemization of deductions on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders possession is presumed to have acted in bad faith.

Section 92.109(a) provides that a landlord who in bad faith retains a security deposit in violation of the subchapter is liable for an amount equal to the sum of $100, three times the portion of the deposit wrongfully withheld, and the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees in a suit to recover the deposit.

[Only if no itemized list received] Section 92.109(b) provides that a landlord who in bad faith does not provide a written description and itemized list of damages and charges in violation of the subchapter forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit or to bring suit against the tenant for damages to the premises, and is liable for the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees in a suit to recover the deposit.

Section 92.109(c) provides that in an action brought by a tenant under the subchapter, the landlord has the burden of proving that the retention of any portion of the security deposit was reasonable.

I am requesting the refund of my security deposit.

Statute: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103 to 92.109. Read the statute.

Last reviewed: October 2026