Ohio Security Deposit Demand Letter Template

A plain-language demand letter template organized around Ohio's security deposit laws, with a link to ORC § 5321.16 (Landlord-Tenant Law) and the usual return timing to verify for your facts.

Editable version

Copy and customize the free sample below. If you want your facts and citations assembled into a finished PDF, choose a personalized letter instead.

Reviewed: 2026-08-11

How sources are checked →

30 days

Usual return period

ORC 5321.16 (Landlord-Tenant Law)

Primary Statute

The amount due plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney fees

Possible remedies and conditions

Free Ohio demand letter template

Copy the structure, replace every placeholder, and check the dates, amounts, and supporting records before you send it.

Editable sample

Use this free template when

You want a first draft you can send yourself.
You already know the landlord, property, timeline, and amount you are claiming.
You are comfortable filling in dates, disputed deductions, and supporting facts manually.

Before you send it

Provide a written new or forwarding address and check how it affects the deadline, the landlord's duty, or any available remedy.
Request receipts, invoices, photos, or equivalent records that support any amount kept from the deposit.
Choose a sending method that fits your documentation needs, and keep both the letter copy and any postal record.

Ohio law summary

Check the deadline, penalty, receipts, and inspection rules.

Ohio deadline calculator

Review a date calculated from your facts before you mail the letter.

How to write a demand letter

Use this if you want the anatomy of the letter before editing the sample.

Certified mail guide

Compare USPS services by the acceptance and delivery records they provide.

ORC § 5321.16(B) generally requires the deposit balance and itemized notice within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. I provided my forwarding or new address in writing. Based on the information available, [X] days have elapsed since [DATE], and I have not received the accounting or amount that appears due. If a court finds wrongful withholding and the written-address prerequisite is satisfied, § 5321.16(C) permits recovery of the money due, an equal amount as damages, and reasonable attorney fees.

Replace every bracketed placeholder with your facts, dates, deductions, and requested amount before sending.

Want your answers assembled into a finished PDF?

Answer the guided questions to create a personalized PDF, then send it yourself or include one First-Class mailing.

One-time purchase

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Review the PDF and recipient address before you approve mailing.

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What to include in an Ohio demand letter

130-day return deadline
2Written itemized list with amounts and purposes
3Written new or forwarding address required for the statutory damages and attorney-fee remedy
4Conditional statutory-damages provision
5Potential attorney-fee provision

What the personalized PDF includes

Your name, address, and landlord details

Relevant Ohio source citations

The deductions and disputed amounts you enter

Relevant remedy language kept conditional on the required facts

A requested response date you select

Readable PDF format

Frequently asked questions

Questions to check before sending a Ohio demand letter.

How long does my Ohio landlord have to return my security deposit?

30 days after termination of rental agreement and delivery of possession. Use that period as a starting point, then check the exact trigger, exceptions, and current official source for your dates.

What should I check before using this Ohio template?

Confirm every name, address, date, amount, deduction, requested record, citation, and response date before sending the letter.

How should I send a Ohio demand letter?

Choose a delivery method that fits the records you want to keep, and save the final letter with any acceptance or delivery record.

Check the source and deadline

Check the state rule, deadline details, and common deduction issues before relying on a template.

Source check

Review Ohio security deposit law summary

Confirm deadline, documentation, and penalty rules before sending.