Jordan Avery
88 New Haven Road, Riverton, Tennessee
August 29, 2026
Northgate Property Management
1200 Commerce Street, Suite 400, Riverton, Tennessee
SENT VIA USPS CERTIFIED MAIL
RE: Demand for return of security deposit — 482 Maple Court, Apt 2B, Riverton, Tennessee
Dear Northgate Property Management:
I was the tenant at 482 Maple Court, Apt 2B, Riverton, Tennessee until June 20, 2026, on which date I surrendered the premises. I paid a security deposit of $1,500.00. To date, no portion of my deposit has been returned to me. I have received no itemized statement of deductions. The grounds given for withholding — alleged damage beyond normal wear and tear; cleaning charges — are disputed.
Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, a landlord in Tennessee may retain a security deposit only in compliance with the statute’s accounting, itemization, and handling requirements: inspection and itemization duties apply rather than one fixed refund deadline. 70 days have now passed since I surrendered the premises without a lawful accounting or return of my deposit.
For the record: The unit was left clean, keys were returned on the move-out date, and two written follow-ups have gone unanswered.
My records of this tenancy include date-stamped photographs of the condition of the premises; the lease agreement; written correspondence with you or your agents. I am prepared to present these records in court if necessary.
Please be aware that Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 provides remedies for failure to comply with these requirements. A landlord who does not comply with the escrow, inspection and itemization requirements cannot lawfully retain the deposit; unclaimed deposits revert after 60 days from the landlord's notice.
This letter also serves as written notice of my forwarding address, stated above, for all purposes under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301.
Accordingly, I demand payment of $1,500.00 within fourteen (14) days of the date of this letter, delivered to my address above. If I do not receive payment, I intend to pursue every remedy available to me under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, including filing suit in small claims court, where I may seek the statutory damages described above.
I would prefer to resolve this without court involvement, and prompt payment will end the matter.
Sincerely,
Jordan Avery
Why each part is there
The certified-mail line
Signals the delivery is being documented — the record a small-claims judge wants to see.
The statute citation
Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 tells the landlord you know exactly which law governs — and that its accounting duties were broken.
The penalty paragraph
A landlord who does not comply with the escrow, inspection and itemization requirements cannot lawfully retain the deposit; unclaimed deposits revert after 60 days from the landlord's notice. Stating it plainly is usually what moves a landlord to settle.
The forwarding-address clause
Several statutes start (or restart) their clock at receipt of a written forwarding address — the letter closes that loophole itself.
The evidence recital
Listing photos, the lease, and correspondence tells the landlord a court case is already assembled — without a threat ever being made.
Want it with your facts, printed and sent USPS Certified for you? That's the $29 flat service.
Generate my Tennessee letter — $29
Prefer to write your own for free? Genuinely fine — the official statute text is linked on the Tennessee guide, and this sample shows the structure. What the service adds is your facts merged correctly, printing, certified mailing, delivery tracking, and the deadline watch.
