NEW MEXICO SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURN LETTER

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

Property Address: [[Rental Property Full Street Address, City, New Mexico ZIP]]

Security Deposit Amount: $[[Security Deposit Amount Originally Held]], -

Part I, Pre-Departure Inspection Offer

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

[[Tenant Current or Last Known Address]]

[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name / Company]]

[[Landlord Mailing Address]]

[[City]], New Mexico [[ZIP Code]]

Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]], -

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]]:

Your tenancy at the above-referenced Premises is scheduled to end on [[Lease Termination / Vacate Date]].

Pursuant to good practice and to minimize potential disputes over the condition of the Premises, Landlord offers you the opportunity to participate in a pre-departure (move-out) inspection of the Premises. The purpose of this inspection is to identify any items of cleaning or repair that you may wish to address before vacating so that deductions from your security deposit can be avoided or reduced.

If you wish to schedule a pre-departure inspection, please contact Landlord no later than [[Inspection Request Deadline, e.g., 3 business days before vacate date]] to arrange a mutually convenient time during normal business hours.

Whether or not you elect to participate in the inspection, Landlord will provide a final written accounting of your security deposit within thirty (30) days after the later of:

1. The termination of the rental agreement, or

2. Your provision of a forwarding address.

Please provide your forwarding address in writing at or before move-out so that any refund and statement can be mailed promptly.

Sincerely,

________________________________________

[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]

[[Title]]

Date: [[Date]], -

Part II, Security Deposit Return Letter (Full Return, No Deductions)

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

[[Tenant Forwarding Address]]

[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name / Company]]

[[Landlord Mailing Address]]

[[City]], New Mexico [[ZIP Code]]

RE: Return of Security Deposit, [[Property Address]], -

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]]:

Your tenancy at [[Property Address]] terminated on [[Termination / Vacate Date]]. You provided your forwarding address on [[Date Forwarding Address Received or N/A]].

Landlord has completed the final inspection and accounting. No deductions are being made from your security deposit of $[[Security Deposit Amount]].

A check in the full amount of $[[Security Deposit Amount]] is enclosed with this letter.

If you have any questions, please contact Landlord at the information above.

Sincerely,

________________________________________

[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]

Date: [[Date]], -

Part III, Security Deposit Return Letter (Partial Return, With Itemized Deductions)

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

[[Tenant Forwarding Address]]

[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name / Company]]

[[Landlord Mailing Address]]

[[City]], New Mexico [[ZIP Code]]

RE: Accounting and Return of Security Deposit, [[Property Address]], -

Dear [[Tenant First Name(s)]]:

Your tenancy at [[Property Address]] terminated on [[Termination / Vacate Date]]. Your forwarding address was received on [[Date Forwarding Address Received]].

Under the New Mexico Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act (NMSA 1978 § 47-8-18), Landlord must return the security deposit, less any lawful deductions, together with an itemized written statement, within thirty (30) days after the later of the termination of the rental agreement or receipt of the forwarding address.

The original security deposit held was: $[[Security Deposit Amount]]

Itemized Deductions:

1. Unpaid rent for the period [[Period]]: $[[Amount]]

Description: [[Specific description, e.g., rent for final partial month or holdover period]]

2. Damage beyond ordinary wear and tear:

• [[Description of damage 1, location, repair/replacement cost]]: $[[Amount]]

• [[Description of damage 2]]: $[[Amount]]

3. Cleaning required to return Premises to move-in condition (as documented in the lease and move-in checklist):

• [[Specific cleaning items, e.g., carpet cleaning, appliance cleaning]]: $[[Amount]]

Total Deductions: $[[Total Deductions Amount]]

Balance Due to Tenant: $[[Balance Amount]]

A check in the amount of $[[Balance Amount]] is enclosed.

Supporting documentation (receipts, invoices, or estimates) for the deductions listed above is attached or available upon request.

Important notes on New Mexico law:

• Deductions are permitted only for: (a) unpaid rent; (b) damage to the Premises beyond ordinary wear and tear; and (c) cleaning if the lease or move-in checklist required the Premises to be returned in a particular condition.

• Normal wear and tear (including paint fading, minor carpet wear from ordinary use, and aging of appliances) may not be deducted.

• Landlord must mail or deliver the itemized statement and any balance to the forwarding address (or last known address) within the 30-day period.

If Landlord fails to comply with these requirements, Landlord forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit and may be liable for penalties, including double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

If you dispute any deduction, please respond in writing within fourteen (14) days of receipt of this letter with supporting evidence. Disputes may also be resolved in small claims court or other appropriate forum.

Thank you for your tenancy.

Sincerely,

________________________________________

[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]

Date: [[Date]]

Enclosures: Check, itemized statement, receipts/estimates, copy of move-out inspection report (if prepared), -

Part IV, Tenant Forwarding Address and Acknowledgment Form (to be completed by Tenant)

Tenant Name(s): [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

Property Address: [[Property Address]]

I/We provide the following forwarding address for return of the security deposit and final accounting:

Forwarding Address: [[Street]]

[[City, State, ZIP]]

Phone: [[Phone]] Email: [[Email]]

I/We acknowledge receipt of a copy of the move-out inspection report (if prepared) and keys returned: [[Yes / No / N/A]]

Tenant Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: [[Date]], -

Part V, Record of Delivery / Mailing

Date statement and payment mailed or delivered: [[Date]]

Method: [[Certified Mail / First Class / Hand Delivery / Other]]

Tracking / Receipt Number (if any): [[Number]]

Mailed / Delivered to: [[Address Used]]

Landlord / Agent Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: [[Date]], -

> ⚠️ Template example, not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This is a sample form. The 30-day deadline runs from the later of lease termination or receipt of the tenant's forwarding address (NMSA § 47-8-18). Itemized deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and qualifying cleaning. Wrongful withholding may result in forfeiture of the right to deduct and liability for double the withheld amount plus fees and costs. Always document conditions at move-in and move-out. Verify current law and consult qualified counsel before using. As of June 2026., -

Key New Mexico Security Deposit Rules (reference):

• Deposit cap for month-to-month: one month's rent (no statutory cap stated for fixed-term leases of one year or more; amount must be reasonable).

• Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the rental agreement or receipt of forwarding address, whichever is later.

• Required: itemized written statement of deductions and balance.

• Permissible deductions only as listed above.

• Penalty for noncompliance: forfeiture of withholding rights and potential double damages + attorney fees.

• Good practice: offer pre-move-out inspection; retain receipts/estimates for all deductions; use certified mail or obtain written acknowledgment of delivery.