Landlords sometimes absorb the deposit into “unpaid rent” or fees instead of itemizing damage. That’s only valid if you actually owe the rent or fee. Use this letter when the deposit was applied to amounts you paid, don’t owe, or that aren’t legally chargeable (e.g. an improper “lease-break” or “re-rent” fee, or a deposit being used as last month’s rent without agreement).
[Your name / address / contact]
[Date]
[Landlord name / address]
Re: Disputed application of deposit to rent/fees
[former rental address, unit #]
Dear [Landlord name],
Your statement dated [date] applied my $[deposit amount] security deposit
to "[unpaid rent / fees]." I dispute this:
• [Rent for [month]] — this was paid on [date] by [method];
proof enclosed ([receipt / bank record / canceled check]).
• [Late fee / lease-break fee / re-letting fee — $[amount]] — this fee
is [not provided for in my lease / unreasonable and unenforceable /
not owed because [reason]].
• [Other].
The security deposit may not be retained for amounts I do not owe. Please
return $[amount] to my address above within [10] days, along with a
corrected accounting. If any rent is genuinely owed, please provide a
ledger showing each charge and payment.
Sincerely,
[Signature / printed name]
Useful points:
- Attach proof of payment for any rent the landlord claims is unpaid — bank records, receipts, canceled checks, payment-app history.
- Last month’s rent vs. deposit. Unless your lease clearly designates it, a landlord generally can’t unilaterally treat the security deposit as last month’s rent.
- Ask for a full ledger of every charge and credit; vague “balance owed” lines often don’t hold up.
A landlord can usually deduct genuinely unpaid rent. If you truly owe rent, the deposit can be applied to it — focus your dispute on the amounts you actually paid or don’t owe, and concede the rest to keep your demand credible.
If part of the deduction is for damage, combine this with the relevant deduction-dispute letter.