AI Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter

Pennsylvania law under the Landlord and Tenant Act (68 P.S. § 250.511a, 512) requires that a landlord return a tenant's security deposit, together with any interest due, or provide a written itemized statement of deductions and the remaining balance, within 30 days after the termination of the lease and delivery of possession, provided the tenant has supplied a forwarding address in writing. The deposit is capped at two months' rent during the first year of a tenancy and one month's rent thereafter. Failure to comply with the return deadline or improper withholding exposes the landlord to liability for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs., -

Part I, Pre-Departure Inspection Offer (Recommended Best Practice)

Although not strictly mandated by statute, Pennsylvania landlords are strongly encouraged to offer the tenant a pre-move-out inspection. This allows the tenant to address any items that could otherwise result in deductions and creates a clear record of the premises condition at the time of vacating.

PRE-DEPARTURE INSPECTION OFFER
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Current Address or Last Known Address]]
[[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]]

FROM (Landlord / Property Manager): [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Landlord or Property Manager Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone Number]] | Email: [[Landlord Email Address]]

RE: Pre-Departure Inspection Offer, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]], -

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

Your tenancy at [[Rental Property Full Address]] is scheduled to end on [[Lease End Date / Vacate Date]]. To minimize potential deductions from your security deposit of $[[Original Security Deposit Amount]], I am offering you the opportunity to participate in a pre-departure walk-through of the premises.

During this inspection we will jointly note the condition of the unit, identify any items requiring attention (such as cleaning or minor repairs you may wish to complete yourself), and document the premises before you return the keys.

If you would like to schedule a pre-departure inspection, please contact me no later than [[Inspection Scheduling Deadline, e.g. 48 hours before scheduled vacate]] so that a mutually convenient time can be arranged.

Whether or not you choose to participate, a complete accounting of your security deposit will be provided within the time required by Pennsylvania law once you have delivered possession and supplied your written forwarding address.

Sincerely,

___________________________________
[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Title, Landlord / Authorized Property Manager]]
[[Date Signed]], -

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

*Use this version when the full security deposit is being returned with no deductions.*, -

SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURN LETTER, FULL RETURN
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
68 P.S. § 250.511a, 250.512

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Forwarding Address, Street]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone Number]] | Email: [[Landlord Email Address]]

RE: Return of Security Deposit, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]], -

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

Your tenancy at the premises located at [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]] terminated on [[Move-Out Date / Date Possession Delivered]]. You delivered possession of the premises and returned all keys on [[Key Return Date]]. You provided your written forwarding address on [[Forwarding Address Provided Date]].

After a thorough inspection of the premises, no deductions are being made from your security deposit.

Enclosed please find check number [[Check Number]] dated [[Check Date]] in the amount of $[[Full Deposit Balance Returned]], made payable to [[Tenant Full Name(s)]], representing the full return of your security deposit (plus any accrued interest).

Payment Method: Check mailed to the forwarding address above.

Thank you for your tenancy. This letter and the enclosed payment constitute the landlord's complete and final accounting of your security deposit as required by 68 P.S. § 250.512.

Sincerely,

___________________________________
[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Title]]
[[Date Signed]], -

Part III, Security Deposit Return Letter with Itemized Deductions

*Use this version when deductions are being made. Provide supporting documentation for each charge.*, -

SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURN LETTER, ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF DEDUCTIONS
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
68 P.S. § 250.511a, 250.512

Date of Letter: [[Date of Letter]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Forwarding Address, Street]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

FROM: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone Number]] | Email: [[Landlord Email Address]]

RE: Security Deposit Accounting and Return, [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]], -

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

Your tenancy at [[Rental Property Full Address]], [[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]] terminated on [[Move-Out Date / Date Possession Delivered]]. You vacated the premises and returned all keys and access devices on [[Key Return Date]]. Your written forwarding address was received on [[Forwarding Address Provided Date]].

Under 68 P.S. § 250.512, the landlord must return the security deposit or provide a written, itemized statement of any deductions together with the remaining balance within 30 days after the termination of the lease and delivery of possession, once the tenant has supplied a forwarding address. This letter and the attached documentation fulfill that statutory obligation., -

Section A, Deposit Summary

Section B, Permissible Deductions and Itemization

Pennsylvania law (68 P.S. § 250.511a et seq.) permits a landlord to make deductions from a security deposit only for the following:

1. Unpaid rent or other charges expressly authorized by the lease that remain due at the time of termination.

2. Damage to the premises caused by the tenant, the tenant's family, guests, or invitees that exceeds ordinary wear and tear.

3. Costs to clean the premises to the condition existing at the commencement of the tenancy (reasonable cleaning to restore original condition).

4. Any other amounts expressly permitted by the terms of the written lease agreement.

Ordinary Wear and Tear Is Not Deductible. Examples of ordinary wear and tear that may not be charged against the deposit include: minor scuffs and nail holes from normal use, carpet wear from ordinary foot traffic, faded paint or wallpaper from sunlight, minor settling cracks, and gradual deterioration of appliances from age and normal use. Charging for ordinary wear and tear may result in forfeiture of the right to retain those amounts and potential double-damage liability.

Deposit Caps (68 P.S. § 250.511a): The maximum security deposit a landlord may require is two months' rent for the first year of the tenancy and one month's rent for each year thereafter. Any excess collected must be returned or credited.

Interest Requirement: If the security deposit is held for more than two years in an escrow account containing more than $100, the landlord must pay interest at the rate of 1% per annum or such other rate as may be prescribed by regulation on the amount held., -

Itemized Deduction Schedule:

Section C, Supporting Documentation

Copies of all invoices, receipts, contractor estimates, and photographs documenting the condition and the costs of repairs or cleaning are enclosed with this letter. Providing supporting documentation for every deduction is best practice and protects against disputes.

> Recommendation: Retain original receipts and photos for your records. The tenant may request copies of supporting documents for any deduction., -

Section D, Balance Calculation and Payment

If a balance is due to the tenant:

Enclosed is check number [[Check Number]] dated [[Check Date]], payable to [[Tenant Full Name(s)]], in the amount of $[[Net Balance Returned]]. This represents the remaining security deposit plus any interest after application of the itemized deductions listed above.

If deductions exceed the deposit (balance owed by tenant):

The total itemized deductions of $[[Total Deductions Amount]] exceed the total deposit and interest held of $[[Total Deposit Plus Interest]]. The full deposit has been applied to the charges. A remaining balance of $[[Balance Owed by Tenant]] is due from you.

Please remit payment by [[Payment Due Date, e.g. 14 days from letter date]] to:

[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Payment Remittance Address]]
[[City]], Pennsylvania [[ZIP Code]]

Failure to pay may result in collection action or deduction from any future tenancy references., -

Section E, Forwarding Address and Statutory Clock

Forwarding Address Used for This Mailing:
[[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
[[Forwarding Street Address]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]

The 30-day statutory period under 68 P.S. § 250.512 begins to run only after both (a) termination of the lease and delivery of possession and (b) the tenant has provided the landlord with a written forwarding address. If the address above is incorrect or you have moved again, notify us immediately in writing at the contact information above., -

Section F, Statutory Rights and Remedies Notice

Under 68 P.S. § 250.512(c), if a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide a proper itemized statement within 30 days, or wrongfully withholds any portion of the security deposit, the tenant may recover the deposit (or the wrongfully withheld amount) together with damages in an amount equal to double the sum wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs, in an action brought before a magisterial district judge or in the court of common pleas.

If you believe any deduction is improper or that the accounting is incomplete, you may contact the landlord in writing to discuss or pursue your remedies under Pennsylvania law. This notice is provided for informational purposes., -

Sincerely,

___________________________________
[[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
[[Title (Landlord / Authorized Agent)]]
[[Date Signed]]

Enclosures:
- Check (if applicable)
- Itemized deduction schedule
- Copies of supporting invoices/receipts/estimates
- Move-out inspection photos (if used), -

*This is a template document for use in Pennsylvania. It is not legal advice. All statutory references are to the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, as amended (68 P.S. §§ 250.101 et seq.), specifically §§ 250.511a, 512 governing security deposits. Deposit caps, 30-day return rule, itemization requirement, double-damage penalty, and interest rules are current as of June 2026. Verify all figures and procedures against the most recent official Pennsylvania statutes and consult local counsel or a magisterial district court for your specific situation before using. Lead-based paint disclosure requirements (if applicable to pre-1978 housing) are separate and remain the responsibility of the landlord.*, -

Additional Notes for Users of This Template

• Always obtain the tenant's written forwarding address before the final move-out date when possible.
• Document the unit condition with dated photographs at both move-in and move-out.
• Keep all security deposits in a separate escrow account as required.
• For deposits held longer than two years, calculate and include interest at the applicable rate.
• Update the letter date, amounts, descriptions, and check details for each individual tenancy.