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$39–$99 flat
Send a formal legal demand letter via USPS Certified Mail with tracking
Not a substitute for attorney advice · No court appearance includedScope, costs & limitations
Service: Certified Demand Letter
Generates a professional legal demand letter citing state statutes, prints it, and mails it via USPS Certified Mail with signature tracking. Also formats county small claims court complaints.
May be useful for
Recovering an unpaid security deposit from a landlord
Demanding payment from a contractor or non-paying client
Creating evidence of pre-lawsuit notice required by small claims courts
Not included
Attorney representation in court
Court filing fees
Directory-listed price: $39–$99 flat · Billing: one-time. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.
Certified mail tracking proof is admissible in small claims court as evidence that the opposing party received your demand.
When another kind of help may be needed
claim-exceeds-state-small-claims-cap
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Unlimited phone consultations on new personal legal matters, document review up to 15 pages per document, and attorney-written demand letters or phone calls to third parties.
May be useful for
Sending a formal attorney demand letter to a stubborn landlord or contractor
Reviewing a lease, severance agreement, or loan contract before signing
Having an actual law firm to call when legal questions arise
Not included
Pre-existing lawsuits filed before joining
Courtroom representation in the base plan (offered at 25% discount off hourly rates)
Business or commercial litigation
Directory-listed price: $39.95 / month · Billing: month. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.
Cancel anytime before your next monthly renewal date. Demand letters require the assigned attorney's professional judgment.
When another kind of help may be needed
lawsuit-already-filed-against-you
contested-trial-next-week
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Resolve rental disputes without an expensive lawyer. Comprehensive guidance on recovering withheld security deposits, forcing landlords to repair broken heating/plumbing, breaking a lease legally, and dealing with landlord harassment.
Option 0: How to Recover Your Deposit for Free
Most states (e.g., California, New York, Texas, Washington) penalize landlords who withhold security deposits in bad faith with mandatory 2x to 3x statutory damages plus court costs.
Check Your State's Itemization Deadline
Landlords have a strict statutory window (14 to 30 days depending on state) to either return the full deposit or provide an itemized list of legitimate damages with receipts.
Use JustLegal's Document Builder to generate a certified demand letter citing your state code's double/treble damage provision for unreturned deposits.
Download your county's small claims statement of claim. Small claims filing fees are typically $30–$75 and can be added to your judgment against the landlord.
Small claims court forms are free at your county clerk's office or court website. Do not pay an attorney thousands to recover a $1,500 deposit.
Statutory Security Deposit Return Deadlines by Key States
California: 21 days (Civil Code § 1950.5). Landlord must provide itemized deductions and copies of invoices/receipts for any repair over $126. Bad faith penalty: up to 2x the deposit amount.
Texas: 30 days (Property Code § 92.103). Landlord failing to return or account within 30 days is presumed to act in bad faith. Penalty: $100 plus 3x the wrongfully withheld amount, plus attorney fees.
New York: 14 days (General Obligations Law § 7-108). If landlord fails to provide itemized deposit statement within 14 days, they forfeit all rights to retain any portion of the deposit.
Florida: 15 days to return full deposit, or 30 days to give written notice of intention to impose a claim via certified mail (Florida Statute § 83.49).
Can a landlord charge for normal wear and tear?
No. Across all 50 states, landlords are prohibited from deducting for ordinary wear and tear (such as minor scuffs on walls, slightly worn carpet in high-traffic areas, or fading paint from sunlight). They can only deduct for actual negligent or intentional tenant damage.
What if my landlord enters my apartment without notice?
Unless there is an active emergency (such as a burst water pipe or fire), landlords must provide statutory advance written notice (typically 24 to 48 hours) prior to entry. Repeated unannounced entries constitute landlord harassment and breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment.
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