The Des Moines security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Des Moines landlord must act within 30 days after termination and receipt of the tenant's forwarding address under Iowa Code § 562A.12. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Des Moines are governed by Iowa state law: Iowa Code § 562A.12. Bad-faith retention can add punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, plus the wrongfully withheld amount. Full Iowa deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Des Moines are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Polk County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Des Moines at a glance
Population ~212,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 30-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Iowa attorney.