The Philadelphia security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Philadelphia landlord must act within 30 days after termination or surrender and acceptance under 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512. 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 Philadelphia are governed by Pennsylvania state law: 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512. Failure to provide the itemized list within 30 days forfeits deductions and can make the landlord liable for double the deposit (less actual damages). Full Pennsylvania deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Philadelphia are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Philadelphia County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Philadelphia at a glance
Population ~1,550,000 (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 Pennsylvania attorney.