Wisconsin Security Deposit Demand Letters

Get your deposit back, plus up to 2× in penalties.

A formal demand letter built on Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5). A few plain-English questions, ready today.

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Jordan A. Reyes118 Chestnut Street, Apt 3
Milwaukee, WI
August 21, 2026

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL · NO. 7020 3160 0002 4287 9014

RE: Demand for return of security deposit under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

PAGE 1 OF 2

Sample letter. Details are fictional.

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I moved out weeks ago and my landlord has gone quiet.

Different situations, one letter. Your answers shape it to your case.

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Plain-English questions that walk through your tenancy: the deposit, the move-out, the deadline, what your landlord kept and why. No documents needed. Each answer feeds a clause of your letter, so nothing generic goes in your landlord’s hands.

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Built on Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5) with your answers in every clause, ready to read the moment you finish. On the mailed option, sign once and we print and mail it certified with return receipt. The tracking number lands in your inbox.

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Your options

The most expensive option is doing nothing.

Here are the four paths when a Wisconsin landlord is holding your deposit.

Wait it out

Costs your deposit. No statute, no deadline, no proof.

Ready: never.

Write it yourself

Costs your time. Statute and deadline only if you find them.

Ready when you get to it.

Hire a lawyer

Hourly fees. Gets every detail right.

Ready in days to weeks.

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  • Cites Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)
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Either the letter works, or it becomes the dated evidence you bring to small claims.

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Your rights under Wisconsin law

21 days

Deadline to return your deposit

Penalty for bad faith withholding

10 days

Typical landlord reply time

Set by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

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Same letter in both. One flat fee, no percentage of what you recover. Every day you wait tells your landlord you have moved on. A dated letter says the opposite.

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Recent letters

Sample letters we sent this month.

Each one was built from a tenant's answers and Wisconsin law. Names, addresses, and signatures are redacted. Tap a letter to read it in full.

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 1428 Camino Verde, Apt 3B, Riverside,

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $2,400 paid in connection with my tenancy at 1428 Camino Verde, Apt 3B, Riverside, 00000. I moved out on June 25, 2026. As of the date of this letter, you have neither returned the deposit nor provided the written itemised statement required by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

My forwarding address was provided to you in writing on June 25, 2026. Your statutory deadline to return the deposit or provide an itemised statement ran from that date.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), you had twenty-one (21) days from my move-out date to return the deposit or provide a written itemised statement of any deductions. That deadline has now passed.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I demand the return of the full deposit of $2,400 within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter, by check made payable to the undersigned and mailed to the address shown above.

Failure to comply will result in the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5). The action will seek the deposit itself, plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

---

Sincerely,

Jordan A. Reyes

No response after move-out

$2,400 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 87 Larkspur Lane, Unit 12, Fairview,

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $2,000 paid in connection with my tenancy at 87 Larkspur Lane, Unit 12, Fairview, 00000. I moved out on July 10, 2026. You subsequently delivered an itemised statement of deductions (the precise date of the statement is not in my records). The burden is on you to justify each deduction with a written itemisation and documentation of damage beyond ordinary wear; I dispute these deductions in full and demand the entire amount back.

Each deduction below is your burden to justify. Unless you can substantiate an item with receipts, photographs, or other documentary evidence within the period set by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), the full amount must be returned to me.

Receipts alone do not establish a permissible deduction. Even where you produce a receipt for an expenditure, the existence of a receipt does not, on its own, establish the right to withhold the corresponding amount from my deposit. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), a permissible deduction must (a) be attributable to damage caused by the tenant that exceeds ordinary wear and tear, and (b) be a written itemisation delivered within the statutory window. A receipt evidences only that you spent the money. It does not address tenant causation or the statutory itemisation requirements.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), deductions from a security deposit must be itemised in writing and substantiated by receipts or comparable documentation. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I therefore demand return of the full $1,850 you withheld within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter.

If you maintain that any portion of the disputed amount is properly withheld, your response must include, for each contested line item: (i) the specific damage attributable to my tenancy beyond normal wear and tear, (ii) the date and method by which the itemisation was first delivered to me. Receipts alone do not satisfy these requirements.

Failure to return the full amount, or to provide the substantive response described above, within the twenty-one (21)-day window will be treated as confirmation of bad-faith retention and will prompt the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), seeking the full amount plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

Please direct all responses in writing to the address above.

---

Sincerely,

Priya Raman

Wear and tear billed as damage

$2,000 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 2015 Sherwood Avenue, Lakeside, 0000

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $3,050 paid in connection with my tenancy at 2015 Sherwood Avenue, Lakeside, 00000. I moved out on July 2, 2026. You subsequently delivered an itemised statement of deductions (the precise date of the statement is not in my records). The burden is on you to justify each deduction with a written itemisation and documentation of damage beyond ordinary wear; I dispute these deductions in full and demand the entire amount back.

Each deduction below is your burden to justify. Unless you can substantiate an item with receipts, photographs, or other documentary evidence within the period set by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), the full amount must be returned to me.

Receipts alone do not establish a permissible deduction. Even where you produce a receipt for an expenditure, the existence of a receipt does not, on its own, establish the right to withhold the corresponding amount from my deposit. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), a permissible deduction must (a) be attributable to damage caused by the tenant that exceeds ordinary wear and tear, and (b) be a written itemisation delivered within the statutory window. A receipt evidences only that you spent the money. It does not address tenant causation or the statutory itemisation requirements.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), deductions from a security deposit must be itemised in writing and substantiated by receipts or comparable documentation. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I therefore demand return of the full $2,150 you withheld within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter.

If you maintain that any portion of the disputed amount is properly withheld, your response must include, for each contested line item: (i) the specific damage attributable to my tenancy beyond normal wear and tear, (ii) the date and method by which the itemisation was first delivered to me. Receipts alone do not satisfy these requirements.

Failure to return the full amount, or to provide the substantive response described above, within the twenty-one (21)-day window will be treated as confirmation of bad-faith retention and will prompt the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), seeking the full amount plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

Please direct all responses in writing to the address above.

---

Sincerely,

Devon Okafor

Deductions with no receipts

$3,050 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 640 Juniper Court, Apt 9, Ashfield,

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $1,800 paid in connection with my tenancy at 640 Juniper Court, Apt 9, Ashfield, 00000. I moved out on July 16, 2026. You subsequently delivered an itemised statement of deductions (the precise date of the statement is not in my records). The burden is on you to justify each deduction with a written itemisation and documentation of damage beyond ordinary wear; I dispute these deductions in full and demand the entire amount back.

Each deduction below is your burden to justify. Unless you can substantiate an item with receipts, photographs, or other documentary evidence within the period set by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), the full amount must be returned to me.

Receipts alone do not establish a permissible deduction. Even where you produce a receipt for an expenditure, the existence of a receipt does not, on its own, establish the right to withhold the corresponding amount from my deposit. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), a permissible deduction must (a) be attributable to damage caused by the tenant that exceeds ordinary wear and tear, and (b) be a written itemisation delivered within the statutory window. A receipt evidences only that you spent the money. It does not address tenant causation or the statutory itemisation requirements.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), deductions from a security deposit must be itemised in writing and substantiated by receipts or comparable documentation. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I therefore demand return of the full $1,200 you withheld within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter.

If you maintain that any portion of the disputed amount is properly withheld, your response must include, for each contested line item: (i) the specific damage attributable to my tenancy beyond normal wear and tear, (ii) the date and method by which the itemisation was first delivered to me. Receipts alone do not satisfy these requirements.

Failure to return the full amount, or to provide the substantive response described above, within the twenty-one (21)-day window will be treated as confirmation of bad-faith retention and will prompt the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), seeking the full amount plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

Please direct all responses in writing to the address above.

---

Sincerely,

Hannah Bergström

Cleaning fee, unit left spotless

$1,800 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 318 Third Street, Apt 5C, Northgate,

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $2,750 paid in connection with my tenancy at 318 Third Street, Apt 5C, Northgate, 00000. I moved out on July 22, 2026. As of the date of this letter, you have neither returned the deposit nor provided the written itemised statement required by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

My forwarding address was provided to you in writing on July 22, 2026. Your statutory deadline to return the deposit or provide an itemised statement ran from that date.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), you had twenty-one (21) days from my move-out date to return the deposit or provide a written itemised statement of any deductions. That deadline has now passed.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I demand the return of the full deposit of $2,750 within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter, by check made payable to the undersigned and mailed to the address shown above.

Failure to comply will result in the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5). The action will seek the deposit itself, plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

---

Sincerely,

Marcus Vail

Deposit held after lease break

$2,750 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 92 Willow Bend, Rosedale, 00000

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $950 paid in connection with my tenancy at 92 Willow Bend, Rosedale, 00000. I moved out on July 28, 2026. You subsequently delivered an itemised statement of deductions (the precise date of the statement is not in my records). The burden is on you to justify each deduction with a written itemisation and documentation of damage beyond ordinary wear; I dispute these deductions in full and demand the entire amount back.

Each deduction below is your burden to justify. Unless you can substantiate an item with receipts, photographs, or other documentary evidence within the period set by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), the full amount must be returned to me.

Receipts alone do not establish a permissible deduction. Even where you produce a receipt for an expenditure, the existence of a receipt does not, on its own, establish the right to withhold the corresponding amount from my deposit. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), a permissible deduction must (a) be attributable to damage caused by the tenant that exceeds ordinary wear and tear, and (b) be a written itemisation delivered within the statutory window. A receipt evidences only that you spent the money. It does not address tenant causation or the statutory itemisation requirements.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), deductions from a security deposit must be itemised in writing and substantiated by receipts or comparable documentation. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I therefore demand return of the full $950 you withheld within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter.

If you maintain that any portion of the disputed amount is properly withheld, your response must include, for each contested line item: (i) the specific damage attributable to my tenancy beyond normal wear and tear, (ii) the date and method by which the itemisation was first delivered to me. Receipts alone do not satisfy these requirements.

Failure to return the full amount, or to provide the substantive response described above, within the twenty-one (21)-day window will be treated as confirmation of bad-faith retention and will prompt the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), seeking the full amount plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

Please direct all responses in writing to the address above.

---

Sincerely,

Alina Petrova

Pet deposit kept, no pet damage

$950 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 1150 Palmetto Way, Unit 4, Westbrook,

Dear ,

This letter is addressed to both of you. Each of you is independently liable for the return of the security deposit of $2,000 paid in connection with the tenancy described above.

The property changed ownership during my tenancy. Under state law, the original landlord must either transfer the deposit to the successor or return it directly to the tenant, with written notice. Failure to do so leaves both parties jointly liable for the return of the deposit.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), a landlord transferring ownership of leased property must either:

1. Transfer the security deposit, in full and with an accounting, to the successor in interest and notify the tenant in writing of the transfer; OR

2. Return the deposit directly to the tenant, less any properly itemised deductions, with written notice.

Failure to comply with either obligation does not extinguish the deposit; it simply leaves both transferor and transferee jointly liable to the tenant.

I moved out on July 31, 2026. To date, neither of you has returned the deposit nor provided a properly itemised statement.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I demand the return of the full deposit of $2,000 within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter. This demand is made of both addressees jointly. The undersigned is not required to determine which of you currently holds the funds; the court will allocate ultimate responsibility between you.

Failure to comply will result in the filing of a small-claims action naming both of you as co-defendants.

---

Sincerely,

Terrence Blake

New owner, deposit never transferred

$2,000 demanded

Via certified mail · return receipt requested

Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit at 76 Beacon Hill Road, Glenmoor, 00000

Dear ,

I am writing regarding the security deposit of $1,600 paid in connection with my tenancy at 76 Beacon Hill Road, Glenmoor, 00000. I moved out on August 6, 2026. You subsequently delivered an itemised statement of deductions (the precise date of the statement is not in my records). The burden is on you to justify each deduction with a written itemisation and documentation of damage beyond ordinary wear; I dispute these deductions in full and demand the entire amount back.

Each deduction below is your burden to justify. Unless you can substantiate an item with receipts, photographs, or other documentary evidence within the period set by Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), the full amount must be returned to me.

Receipts alone do not establish a permissible deduction. Even where you produce a receipt for an expenditure, the existence of a receipt does not, on its own, establish the right to withhold the corresponding amount from my deposit. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), a permissible deduction must (a) be attributable to damage caused by the tenant that exceeds ordinary wear and tear, and (b) be a written itemisation delivered within the statutory window. A receipt evidences only that you spent the money. It does not address tenant causation or the statutory itemisation requirements.

Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), deductions from a security deposit must be itemised in writing and substantiated by receipts or comparable documentation. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), Wisconsin permits double damages (up to 2× the wrongfully withheld amount) for non-compliance with the statutory return/itemisation requirements.

• Attorney fees recoverable to the prevailing party under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5)

I therefore demand return of the full $1,600 you withheld within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of this letter.

If you maintain that any portion of the disputed amount is properly withheld, your response must include, for each contested line item: (i) the specific damage attributable to my tenancy beyond normal wear and tear, (ii) the date and method by which the itemisation was first delivered to me. Receipts alone do not satisfy these requirements.

Failure to return the full amount, or to provide the substantive response described above, within the twenty-one (21)-day window will be treated as confirmation of bad-faith retention and will prompt the filing of a small-claims action in Wisconsin under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5), seeking the full amount plus any damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees recoverable under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; remedies via Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5).

Please direct all responses in writing to the address above.

---

Sincerely,

Sofia Marchetti

Repairs billed at inflated prices

$1,600 demanded

8 recent letters · scroll for more

Real Results

Wisconsin renters who got their deposit back

Most landlords respond within 10 days.

5 stars

Way easier than I expected. The demand letter got my deposit back without a lawyer.

DK
David K.Milwaukee, WI
+$2,800
5 stars

My Madison landlord had ignored me for a month, then folded once the deadline was in writing.

JP
James P.Madison, WI
+$1,750
5 stars

My landlord in Green Bay went quiet for weeks over my deposit. I sent this letter and the full amount showed up within days.

LM
Linda M.Green Bay, WI
+$2,400

FAQ

Common questions about Wisconsin security deposit law