If the landlord returned only part of the deposit (or none) without explaining the deductions, ask for the itemized statement in writing. This forces them to commit their reasons to paper — which you can then dispute — and in many states the failure to itemize is itself a violation.
[Your name / address / contact]
[Date]
[Landlord name / address]
Re: Request for itemized statement of deductions
[former rental address, unit #]
Dear [Landlord name],
I moved out of [former rental address] on [move-out date]. You returned
$[amount returned] of my $[deposit amount] deposit on [date] / returned
nothing, but I have not received a written, itemized statement explaining
the deductions.
Under [state statute citation], a landlord retaining any portion of a
security deposit must provide a written, itemized statement of each
deduction, with supporting receipts or estimates. Please send that
statement, and copies of all receipts/invoices, within [10] days.
Thank you,
[Signature / printed name]
The clock may already be against the landlord. If your state’s deadline to provide the itemized statement has passed, you may not need this letter at all — go straight to the no-itemized-statement demand, since missing the deadline often forfeits the right to deduct. Check the state table.
Once you have the statement, dispute the bad line items with the deduction-dispute letters.