Maryland security deposit demand letter

Fictional Maryland case. Generated sample, not a court outcome or a substitute for your own letter.

Maya Patel (fictional tenant)
[Fictional current mailing address]

September 08, 2026

Daniel Reed (fictional landlord)
[Fictional landlord mailing address]

SENT VIA CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

RE: Demand for return of security deposit - [Fictional Maryland rental address]

Dear Daniel Reed (fictional landlord):

I vacated the above rental property on August 01, 2026 and paid a security deposit of $2,000.00. Under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 (Maryland Security Deposit Law), the applicable return rule is: Deposit plus simple interest due within 45 days after the end of the tenancy (§ 8-203(e)(1)); any itemized damage list must go by first-class mail within the same 45 days (§ 8-203(g)(1)).

DISPUTED DEDUCTIONS
I dispute the following deductions under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 for the reasons below. Please provide the records supporting each disputed charge, including the work, cost, and condition at issue. For replacement charges, explain the item's age and how you calculated the amount charged:

  • Repainting ordinary wall scuffs - $900.00
    Ordinary wear and tear - not deductible. Repainting after a tenancy is ordinary wear and tear unless the walls were damaged beyond normal use (large holes, unauthorized colors). Dated move-in and move-out photos help distinguish ordinary wear from tenant-caused damage.

I do not contest the following deductions, totaling $200.00: Unpaid rent balance ($200.00).

This demand does not cancel any accepted debt. Any separate claim or counterclaim must credit amounts already paid or retained toward that debt.

DEMAND
I demand payment of $900.00, the amount improperly withheld from my deposit.

This demand includes all interest accrued on my deposit, which state law requires: Deposits of $50+ held 6+ months accrue simple interest at the greater of 1.5% a year or the U.S. Treasury yield curve rate, payable at return (Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e)).

This demand is limited to the amount improperly withheld. The applicable statutory remedy is conditional: under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4), withholding my deposit without a reasonable basis exposes you to damages of up to threefold the withheld amount, plus reasonable attorney's fees. I reserve the right to seek that remedy if its conditions are established in court.

Please deliver payment to the address above no later than September 22, 2026 (14 days from the date of this letter). This requested date does not shorten any statutory notice or cure period. If this remains unresolved after the applicable notice, service and waiting requirements are satisfied, I intend to file suit in small claims court. I have retained dated photographs of the property's condition, the lease, our correspondence, your itemized statement, the repair receipts you provided, and this demand letter.

Sincerely,


Maya Patel (fictional tenant)

Enclosures: Evidence exhibit list