FICTIONAL IOWA SAMPLE - NOT FOR SENDING Generated 2026-09-08 using GetMyDepositBack's rules and document generators. All parties and facts are fictional. This demonstrates preparation documents, not a filed case or a court outcome. This fictional example assumes the tenancy is covered by the cited deposit law. Check the coverage conditions for your own rental. DEMAND 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 Iowa 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 Iowa Code § 562A.12 (Iowa Security Deposit Law), the applicable return rule is: Within 30 days from termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions (§ 562A.12(3)(a)) - the clock does not start until the address is provided. DISPUTED DEDUCTIONS I dispute the following deductions under Iowa Code § 562A.12 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: Interest earned during the first 5 years of the tenancy belongs to the landlord; earnings after that belong to the tenant (Iowa Code § 562A.12(2)). 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 DISPUTED CHARGES Repainting ordinary wall scuffs - $900.00 Ordinary wear and tear - not deductible Evidence: move-in photos and move-out photos Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12 EVIDENCE CHECKLIST Exhibit 1: Signed lease agreement Establishes deposit amount and terms Exhibit 2: Timestamped move-in photos/video Baseline condition at the start of tenancy Exhibit 3: Timestamped move-out photos/video Condition at surrender - rebuts damage claims Exhibit 4: Landlord's itemized statement Shows the charges being disputed and its date Exhibit 5: Correspondence with landlord Timeline, forwarding address, admissions Exhibit 6: Demand letter + certified mail receipt Proof of formal demand and date Exhibit 7: Charge-by-charge legal analysis Shows each deduction is improper, unsupported, or wear and tear, with statute citations - included as a formatted exhibit in the case PDF OFFICIAL DEPOSIT STATUTE https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.12.pdf You attach your own evidence and file using your court's official forms and current procedure.