Your landlord kept your deposit. I get it back.
Security deposit withheld, repairs ignored, habitability violations, illegal lockout, I draft demand letters that cite the specific laws your landlord is violating. From $2,500 for the Demand Package. Most landlords respond within 2 weeks.
Ask my AI Legal Analyst about your landlord-tenant dispute
Tell me the tenancy, the issue (deposit, repairs, habitability, lockout, retaliation), and any notices exchanged. I will identify the likely statutory leverage and recommend the right package: the $2,500 attorney demand letter or the $2,500 demand package. A full review of your documents is the $300 Written Attorney Consultation, not this chat. AI-generated legal information, not legal advice.
One attorney letter on firm letterhead citing the specific landlord-tenant statute at issue, USPS certified mail (signature requested) plus email, up to two client revision rounds before sending, review of the other side's first substantive response with a short next-step recommendation, and a narrow counter-response if strategically appropriate. Multi-round negotiation and settlement-agreement review are the $3,000 Written Negotiation Phase.
The attorney demand on my letterhead, with the supporting chronology, damages calculation and exhibits, with first-response review. For a California or Washington matter, where I determine it is legally and strategically warranted, I include one draft complaint or arbitration demand for one dispute, expressly marked DRAFT - NOT FILED, within the agreed package fee. Filing, filing fees, service of process, appearances and conducting any court or arbitration proceeding are not included; any pleading or other proceeding paper beyond the one included draft is separately scoped. Up to two revision rounds; first-response review and a narrow counter-response if strategically appropriate are included. This is the right tier when filing is the realistic next step or the landlord is a corporation or management company that will not move on a letter alone.
It depends on your state. California allows up to twice the deposit amount for bad-faith withholding (Civil Code 1950.5). Texas allows up to three times plus $100 for intentional retention. Other states have different penalty structures. I calculate the maximum recoverable damages, including statutory penalties where they apply, inside the demand letter so the number the landlord sees is credible.
A first draft is usually 2 to 3 business days after I receive your lease, photos, and correspondence. Rush 24 to 48 hour turnaround is available for an added $150. Most landlords respond within about two weeks of the certified letter going out.
Your lease, photos of the unit at move-in and move-out, the itemized deposit statement (if any), repair requests, move-in/move-out checklists, any notices exchanged, and email or text correspondence with the landlord or manager. Receipts for cleaning or repairs you paid for help too. The more documentation, the stronger the letter. Upload it in the chat or email it.
What you get for $2,500 minimum
A complete demand letter package that makes landlords respond.
Landlord-Tenant Demand Letter
- Attorney-drafted demand letter with state-specific landlord-tenant law citations
- Damages calculation including statutory penalties (where applicable)
- Draft small claims or civil complaint attached as leverage
- USPS certified mail (signature requested) + email to landlord or property manager
- Photographic evidence references where applicable
- 30-day deadline for response or payment
- Up to two client revision rounds before sending, plus review of the first response with a short next-step recommendation
Rush delivery available: +$150 for 24-48 hour turnaround.
Illustrative examples: what a landlord-tenant demand letter can accomplish
These are illustrative scenarios based on common fact patterns, not actual client matters. They show how a demand letter with statutory penalty calculations gives a landlord a concrete reason to respond.
Illustrative examples, not actual client results. Every matter depends on its own facts.
Landlord withheld entire $3,800 deposit
Landlord withheld entire $3,800 deposit claiming "cleaning" and "painting" that were normal wear and tear. I cited CC §1950.5 and demanded the deposit plus bad-faith penalties. Landlord returned $3,800 plus $1,900 in penalties within 14 days.
Mold in bedroom and bathroom for 6 months
Tenant reported mold in bedroom and bathroom for 6 months. Landlord ignored repair requests. I cited the implied warranty of habitability and demanded professional remediation plus rent abatement. Landlord hired a remediation company within 10 days and credited 2 months' rent.
Landlord changed locks during late rent dispute
Landlord changed locks while tenant was at work after a late rent dispute. I cited Texas Property Code §92.0081 (unlawful lockout) and demanded immediate re-entry plus statutory penalties. Tenant was back in the unit within 24 hours with $2,000 in penalties.
Broken heating system in December
Landlord refused to repair a broken heating system in December. I cited NYC Housing Maintenance Code and warranty of habitability. Landlord dispatched repair crew within 48 hours and credited $1,200 in rent abatement.
Landlord-tenant issues I handle
I represent both tenants and landlords, but most of my cases are tenant-side. Here are the most common scenarios.
State laws I cite in demand letters
Every demand letter includes the specific statute your landlord is violating. Here are the most common state-specific laws.
How it works
Send me your evidence
Email me your lease, photos of the unit, repair requests, move-in/out checklist, and any correspondence with your landlord. Tell me what happened and what you want to recover.
I research your state's landlord-tenant laws
I identify the specific statute your landlord violated and calculate the maximum recoverable damages (deposit + statutory penalties where applicable).
I draft the demand letter and lawsuit
You get a formal demand letter citing the law, with the supporting record and first-response review. For a California or Washington matter, where I determine it is legally and strategically warranted, I include one draft complaint or arbitration demand for one dispute, expressly marked DRAFT - NOT FILED, within the agreed package fee. Filing, filing fees, service of process, appearances and conducting any court or arbitration proceeding are not included; any pleading or other proceeding paper beyond the one included draft is separately scoped.
I send it via USPS certified mail, signature requested
The demand letter goes to your landlord or property manager via USPS certified mail with signature requested, plus email if available. Most landlords respond within 2 weeks. If they do not, the next step is scoped and quoted separately.
Your landlord is counting on you not knowing the law. I do.
Send me your evidence and I will tell you exactly what you can recover under your state's statute.
Example scenarios: what a landlord-tenant demand letter can do
Illustrative examples, not actual client results. Every matter depends on its own facts. Client reviews: 700+ on Upwork.
Example scenario: after a 5-year tenancy, a landlord keeps $2,800 of a deposit for carpet replacement. A letter explaining that carpet has a useful life and normal wear is not deductible leads to return of the full deposit plus $1,400 in penalties.
Example scenario: a tenant reports mold for 8 months with no response. A demand letter citing habitability requirements leads the landlord to hire a professional remediation company within a week and credit 3 months of rent.
Example scenario: a tenant comes home to changed locks after a rent dispute. An emergency demand letter citing state lockout statutes gets the tenant back in the next morning with $2,500 in statutory penalties.
Frequently asked questions
Can you help both tenants and landlords?
Yes, I primarily represent tenant-side cases, but I also help landlords with non-paying tenants and lease violations. The process is the same: I draft a demand letter citing the applicable statutes and demanding compliance or payment.
Do I need to be in California?
No, I handle landlord-tenant demand letters nationwide. I research the specific landlord-tenant statute for your state and cite the applicable laws in the demand letter.
What about small claims court?
If the demand letter does not resolve the issue, the next step is a separate engagement, scoped and quoted in writing after a short intake.
How much can I recover beyond my deposit?
It depends on your state. California allows up to 2x the deposit amount for bad faith withholding (CC §1950.5). Texas allows up to 3x plus $100 for intentional retention. Other states have different penalty structures. I calculate the maximum recoverable damages in your demand letter.
What evidence do I need?
Photos of the unit at move-in and move-out, your lease agreement, email or text communication with your landlord, repair requests, move-in/move-out checklists, and any receipts for repairs or cleaning you performed yourself. The more documentation, the stronger your case.
What if my landlord is a corporation or management company?
Same process. Corporate landlords and property management companies respond to attorney demand letters. I send the letter via USPS certified mail with signature requested to their registered agent or corporate office, and they typically have an in-house counsel who reviews it.