20 ChatGPT Prompts to Get Your Security Deposit Back in Writing
Waiting on a deposit or staring at deductions that make no sense? Paste your details into the brackets and these prompts help you write clear, firm letters to your landlord. From the first polite request to a final letter before further action, you stay organized and professional.
In short: This page contains 20 copy-paste ready prompts, organized into 5 categories with a description and pro tip for each. The first 5 prompts are free instantly, no signup needed. Hand-curated and tested by the AI Academy team.
Ask for It Back
4 promptsThe First Request
1/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a polite letter to [landlord name] requesting the return of [deposit amount] for [address] after you moved out on [move-out date], by [a reasonable deadline]. Fill the dates, then mail it to the address they have on file.
Help me write a polite but clear letter to my former landlord, [landlord name], requesting the return of my security deposit of [deposit amount] for the property at [address]. I moved out on [move-out date]. Ask for the full amount to be returned by [a reasonable deadline].
Pro tip: Send it soon after moving out, while the condition of the place is fresh.
Confirm the Details
2/20✨ What it does
This prompt adds a paragraph confirming you rented [address] from [start date] to [end date], paid [deposit amount], and left [your address] as the forwarding address. Check those four facts, then keep the paragraph in the letter.
Add a short paragraph to my deposit letter confirming the key facts: I rented [address] from [start date] to [end date], paid a deposit of [deposit amount], and left a forwarding address of [your address] for the refund.
Pro tip: Always include a forwarding address, since some landlords stall by claiming they had nowhere to send it.
Note the Move-Out Condition
3/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a calm paragraph about [describe how you left it, for example cleaned, repaired, and photographed] and mentions [photos, a checkout report, or a walkthrough] as a record. Attach those records, then keep the paragraph free of blame.
Write a calm paragraph describing the condition I left the property in: [describe how you left it, for example cleaned, repaired, and photographed]. Mention that I have [photos, a checkout report, or a walkthrough] as a record.
Pro tip: Reference your move-out photos so the landlord knows you documented everything.
Keep It Friendly
4/20✨ What it does
This prompt reviews [paste your draft] so the first request stays warm and reasonable if you may want a reference, and free of blame. Accept the softer lines, then mail it while it still sounds professional.
Review this first deposit request and make sure the tone stays warm and reasonable, since I may want a reference from this landlord: [paste your draft]. Keep it professional and free of blame.
Pro tip: Start friendly so you have room to escalate later if you need to.
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Question the Deductions
4 promptsAsk for an Itemized List
5/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a letter requesting a full itemized statement of every deduction from [deposit amount], with reason and cost for each, by [the deadline]. Get it out as soon as you see a lump withholding, then wait for the breakdown before you concede.
My landlord kept part or all of my deposit but gave no breakdown. Write a letter requesting a full, itemized statement of every deduction from my deposit of [deposit amount], with the reason and cost for each, sent to me by [the deadline].
Pro tip: You cannot dispute what you cannot see, so get the itemized list first.
Wear and Tear vs Damage
6/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a calm paragraph arguing that [amount] for [what they charged for, for example worn carpet or faded paint] looks like normal wear and tear, not damage you should pay for. Use it only if that is true, then attach photos of ordinary wear.
Help me push back on a deduction. My landlord charged [amount] for [what they charged for, for example worn carpet or faded paint]. Write a calm paragraph arguing this looks like normal wear and tear from ordinary living rather than damage I should pay for.
Pro tip: Normal wear from everyday use is different from damage, so name the difference plainly.
Challenge Inflated Costs
7/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a paragraph asking for the receipt or invoice for [amount] on [the work, for example cleaning or a repair] and noting you expect only a reasonable charge. Request the receipt in writing, then dispute the amount if they cannot show it.
My landlord deducted [amount] for [the work, for example cleaning or a repair] that seems overpriced. Write a paragraph asking for the receipt or invoice showing the actual cost, and noting that I expect to be charged only the reasonable amount.
Pro tip: Asking for the actual invoice often shrinks a padded deduction.
Dispute a Charge You Deny
8/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a firm, factual paragraph disputing [amount] for [the issue] that was already there or that you did not cause, citing [your proof, for example a move-in inspection or photos]. Clip the proof to the letter, then keep the paragraph short.
My landlord charged me [amount] for [the issue] that was already there when I moved in or that I did not cause. Write a firm, factual paragraph disputing it and referencing [your proof, for example a move-in inspection or photos].
Pro tip: Move-in photos and checklists are your best friend here.
Back It Up With Records
4 promptsLine Up Your Proof
9/20✨ What it does
This prompt lists records that support getting the deposit back after [describe what happened], such as the lease, move-in and move-out photos, the inspection report, and payment receipts. Gather those files, then mention the strongest ones in your letter.
Based on my deposit dispute, [describe what happened], list the records that would best support getting my money back, such as the lease, move-in and move-out photos, the inspection report, and payment receipts.
Pro tip: Gather everything before you write, so your letter can reference it confidently.
Compare Before and After
10/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a short, neutral side-by-side of move-in versus move-out from [describe both] so it is easy to see nothing was damaged. Pair it with dated photos, then include the comparison in your letter.
Help me write a short, neutral comparison of the property's condition at move-in versus move-out, based on my notes: [describe both]. Present it side by side so it is easy to see nothing was damaged.
Pro tip: Timestamped photos make this comparison far more convincing.
Summarize the Timeline
11/20✨ What it does
This prompt turns [list events, for example move-out date, when I returned the keys, when I asked for the deposit, any replies] into a dated, factual timeline for your records. Check each date, then keep the timeline with the letter file.
Turn these facts into a dated timeline for my records: [list events, for example move-out date, when I returned the keys, when I asked for the deposit, any replies]. Keep it factual and neutral.
Pro tip: A timeline showing delays helps if you ever escalate.
Draft the Email Trail
12/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a short email to [landlord name] noting the letter is attached, listing what you enclosed, and asking for a reply by [the deadline]. Attach the letter and enclosures, then send them together.
Write a short, polite email to send with my deposit letter attached to [landlord name], noting the letter is attached, listing what I have enclosed, and asking for a reply by [the deadline].
Pro tip: Keeping it in email or tracked mail means you can prove they received it.
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Raise the Pressure
4 promptsFirmer Follow-Up
13/20✨ What it does
This prompt rewrites [paste your first letter] as a firmer second notice after no response, with a new deadline of [the deadline]. Wait until the first deadline has passed, then keep both letters.
My landlord ignored my first letter. Rewrite my deposit request with a firmer tone as a second notice, based on this earlier version: [paste your first letter]. Reference that I have not had a response and set a new deadline of [the deadline].
Pro tip: Note that this is your second attempt, so the escalation is on record.
Point to the Rules
14/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a paragraph reminding the landlord, without threatening, that deposits usually must be returned or itemized in a set time, and reminds you to confirm the exact rule for [your city or state]. Look up that rule yourself, then add only the wording that matches it.
Write a paragraph reminding my landlord, without threatening, that landlords are generally required to return a deposit or provide an itemized reason within a set time, and that I would like this resolved. Remind me to confirm the exact rule for [your city or state] myself.
Pro tip: Deposit rules and deadlines vary by location, so verify yours before quoting a timeframe.
State Your Bottom Line
15/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a paragraph stating you are owed [amount] after accepting [list them] as fair deductions, and asking for that exact sum by [the deadline]. Check the math, then mail the number you will actually accept.
Help me write a paragraph clearly stating the amount I believe I am owed, [amount], after accepting any deductions I agree are fair, [list them], and asking for that exact sum by [the deadline].
Pro tip: Conceding the fair deductions makes your remaining ask look reasonable.
Offer a Quick Resolution
16/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a short paragraph offering to close it out if they return [amount] by [the deadline] and consider the matter settled. Include it while you still mean that offer, then treat their payment as the end.
Write a short paragraph offering my landlord a simple way to close this out: return [amount] by [the deadline] and consider the matter settled. Keep the tone calm and businesslike.
Pro tip: Giving them an easy yes often works better than a hard ultimatum.
The Final Letter
4 promptsFinal Notice
17/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a final letter to [landlord name] stating that if [amount] is not returned by [the deadline], you intend to pursue the matter further, including small claims, without sounding threatening. Include a clear date, then file only if they miss it.
Write a final letter to [landlord name] stating that if my deposit balance of [amount] is not returned by [the deadline], I intend to pursue the matter further, including small claims court. Keep it factual, not threatening.
Pro tip: Send this with tracking so you can prove it was received.
Total What You Are Owed
18/20✨ What it does
This prompt totals the withheld [amount], minus [list them] deductions you accept, plus [any other allowable amounts], as a clear itemized figure. Verify each line, then use that total in the letter or a claim.
Help me total exactly what I am claiming from my landlord: the withheld deposit of [amount], minus any deductions I accept, [list them], plus [any other allowable amounts]. Present a clear itemized figure.
Pro tip: Keep proof behind every figure in case you file later.
Assemble Your File
19/20✨ What it does
This prompt gives a checklist to assemble your file from [describe what I have], including the lease, photos, letters, their replies, and your itemized claim, in an order that tells the story. Put the file in that order, then take it to court or a clinic if you go further.
Give me a checklist to assemble my deposit dispute file: [describe what I have]. Include the lease, photos, my letters, the landlord's replies, and my itemized claim, ordered so it tells a clear story.
Pro tip: Keep the same file whether you settle or escalate.
Plan the Next Step
20/20✨ What it does
This prompt outlines general next steps if they still do not return [amount] after the final letter, and reminds you to check the process and limits for [your city or state] on official sources. Read those official pages, then follow the local process rather than a generic one.
If my landlord still does not return [amount] after my final letter, outline the general steps I could look into next for a deposit dispute, and remind me to check the specific process and limits for [your city or state] on official sources.
Pro tip: Confirm the exact process for your area on your local court or housing authority website.
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