Texas renter guide
Texas Security Deposit Demand Letter
If your landlord has not returned your deposit or sent unsupported deductions, use a documented demand letter workflow aligned to Texas's timeline expectations.
Quick timeline context
Typical return window
30 days
Statute reference
Prop. Code § 92.103
Why this matters
Texas renters frequently ask when a delay becomes actionable and how to document bad-faith withholding.
Common renter scenarios
- Landlord keeps the deposit without clear itemization
- Deductions include upgrades instead of repairs
- No response after follow-up emails
Real case patterns
Anonymized examples to show how timeline-based demand letters are typically used before escalation.
Dallas: no clear itemization after move-out
Situation
- Tenant received no detailed accounting and could not verify repair charges listed verbally.
Action
- Issued a formal demand letter requesting itemization support and return timeline clarification.
Next step
- Management provided records and reversed unsupported line items before escalation.
Austin: recurring silence after email follow-ups
Situation
- Multiple polite reminders were ignored for weeks after lease end.
Action
- Sent one consolidated demand notice with timeline facts and a final response deadline.
Next step
- Landlord replied and completed refund shortly after receiving the formal notice.
Texas: broom-clean lease term conflicted with deep-clean deduction push
Situation
- Tenant followed move-out cleaning steps and documented condition with photos/video, while management circulated a far broader make-ready checklist and signaled professional cleaning deductions regardless.
Action
- Tenant reviewed whether post-hoc cleaning instructions and turnover-level standards aligned with the written lease cleaning language.
Next step
- Preserve lease clauses, checklist emails, and condition media, then send a written dispute distinguishing agreed broom-clean obligations from management turnover prep costs.
FAQ
My lease says broom clean but I got a long turnover checklist and a professional cleaning deduction—how do I push back?
Compare the lease's written move-out standard to any later instructions, and keep photos or video of how you left the unit. Disputes usually turn on whether the charge matches what the lease required, not on a generic make-ready list.
What is the return deadline for security deposits in Texas?
Texas generally requires return within 30 days after surrender and forwarding address requirements are met.
What if the landlord ignores my refund request?
Send a formal demand letter with timeline details, amount sought, and response deadline.