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Get your security deposit back in South Dakota

Your landlord must act within two weeks after termination and receipt of the tenant's mailing address, with an itemized accounting within 45 days on request under S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

14 days
to return or itemize
Penalties
for non-compliance
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my South Dakota letter →

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What South Dakota law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin two weeks after termination and receipt of the tenant's mailing address, with an itemized accounting within 45 days on request
StatuteS.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingBad-faith violations can expose the landlord to punitive damages of up to $200 in addition to amounts due.
Worth knowingDeposit generally capped at one month's rent.

This is general legal information about S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24, 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 → recovery of the withheld amount.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your South Dakota 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 S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24, the 14-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

South Dakota deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Dakota?
Under S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24, the landlord generally must act within two weeks after termination and receipt of the tenant's mailing address, with an itemized accounting within 45 days on request. 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 South Dakota deadline?
Bad-faith violations can expose the landlord to punitive damages of up to $200 in addition to amounts due. A written demand letter that cites S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24 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 South Dakota?
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 S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-6.1, -24, 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 South Dakota attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.