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Get your security deposit back in Virginia

Your landlord must act within 45 days after termination and delivery of possession under Va. Code § 55.1-1226. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

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

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What Virginia law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 45 days after termination and delivery of possession
StatuteVa. Code § 55.1-1226 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingWillful noncompliance can require return of the deposit together with actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.
Worth knowingItemized deductions during tenancy require notice within 30 days.

This is general legal information about Va. Code § 55.1-1226, 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 plus potential attorney’s fees.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Va. Code § 55.1-1226 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Virginia 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 Va. Code § 55.1-1226, the 45-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

Virginia deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Virginia?
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1226, the landlord generally must act within 45 days after termination and delivery of possession. 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 Virginia deadline?
Willful noncompliance can require return of the deposit together with actual damages and reasonable attorney fees. A written demand letter that cites Va. Code § 55.1-1226 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 Virginia?
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 Va. Code § 55.1-1226, 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 Virginia attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.