Small claims preparation — done for you
Get your deposit back — the way landlords actually respond to.
A certified demand. Then formal notice we're filing. Then your small-claims case, built and ready. Most landlords pay before it gets that far.Letter ready in 30 min · Ships today.
Not satisfied? Full refund, no questions asked.
Which state did you rent in?
Your deadline and what your landlord owes you are set by state law — they are not the same anywhere.
Statute-verified in 50 U.S. jurisdictions and counting — everywhere else, a specialist prepares your case by hand until verification clears.
Pay once. We handle the rest.
One case, one price — the letter, the certified mailing, the tracking, and the follow-up. No subscription, no recurring anything.
| Option | Price | Effort | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | — | All of it | You chase |
| TenantNex | $39 | Done for you | We chase |
| Small-claims services | $149–448 | — | — |
| Hire an attorney | $300–2,000+ | — | — |
An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.
Recover
We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.
- Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
- Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
- Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
- Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
- Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
- Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
- Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
- Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days
Not satisfied? Full refund, no questions asked.
Why a certified demand letter works
It starts a legal clock.
A written demand citing your statute puts your landlord on notice that you know the deadline — and in several states, what withholding in bad faith costs them.
It creates court-ready proof.
The certified-mail return receipt is the proof small-claims courts want: exactly what was demanded, and exactly when your landlord received it.
It changes the math.
Once the statute, the deadline, and the penalty are on paper, returning your deposit is usually cheaper for your landlord than fighting you over it.
When can you sue your landlord?
Most states expect you to demand your deposit back in writing before you can sue — small claims judges routinely ask to see that letter. Once your state's deadline passes with no refund and no itemized list of deductions, you generally have grounds: either the full deposit, or in states with a penalty multiplier, more than that. A certified demand letter is what turns "my landlord kept my deposit" into evidence a court can act on.
Security deposit small claims court guide
Small claims court exists for exactly this kind of dispute: no attorney required, filing fees are typically small, and cases are usually decided in one hearing. What you bring matters more than legal language — your lease, move-in/move-out documentation, and proof your landlord received a written demand. Claim limits and filing steps vary by county and state, so check your local small claims court's website for the exact process where you live.
This is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation — for complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
What happens after you start
Tell us your situation
2 minutes
Your state, your dates, your landlord. That’s all we need — no account, no login.
We prepare your letter
within 24 hours
Built on your state’s actual statute — the deadline, the penalty, the citation — and reviewed by a specialist before anything is sent.
We mail it certified
USPS Certified Mail
Return receipt requested. That receipt is court-recognized proof of the date your landlord received your demand.
We track it with you
14-day follow-up
USPS tracking on your case page, delivery confirmation the moment it lands, and next-step guidance at day 7 and day 14.
Two minutes on what actually works
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Security deposit laws by state
Security deposit guides
Written against primary state statutes — not generic advice.
What TenantNex is — and isn't
TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.