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Get your security deposit back in Delaware

Your landlord must act within 20 days after termination or expiration under 25 Del. C. § 5514. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

20 days
to return or itemize
2×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my Delaware letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What Delaware law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 20 days after termination or expiration
Statute25 Del. C. § 5514 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingFailure to return or itemize in time can entitle the tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld.
Worth knowingDeposit generally capped at one month's rent for year-long leases.

This is general legal information about 25 Del. C. § 5514, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $3,000.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites 25 Del. C. § 5514 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Delaware letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing 25 Del. C. § 5514, the 20-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Delaware deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Delaware?
Under 25 Del. C. § 5514, the landlord generally must act within 20 days after termination or expiration. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Delaware deadline?
Failure to return or itemize in time can entitle the tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld. A written demand letter that cites 25 Del. C. § 5514 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Delaware?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of 25 Del. C. § 5514, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Delaware attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.