The Memphis security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Tennessee law holds Memphis landlords to strict deposit accounting rules — break them and they lose the right to keep your deposit. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
rules
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Memphis are governed by Tennessee state law: Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. 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. Full Tennessee deadline & penalty guide →
Extra protection in Memphis
Shelby County meets the population threshold, so Tennessee's URLTA deposit rules apply in Memphis.
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Memphis are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Shelby County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Memphis at a glance
Population ~618,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the statute’s accounting duties — 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 Tennessee attorney.