Support & FAQs

What exactly does the $35 demand letter service include?

We generate a professional demand letter citing California Civil Code §1950.5 based on the details you provide in the intake form. We print the letter and send it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt. You receive the USPS tracking number by email, a PDF copy of the letter, and delivery confirmation when your landlord signs for it.

How long does it take to send my letter?

Your letter is generated and submitted for mailing within one business day of your payment. USPS Certified Mail typically takes 3–7 business days for delivery, depending on the destination. You'll receive tracking updates by email.

What does the demand letter say?

The letter is customized with your name, your landlord's name and address, your rental property address, the dispute amount, and the specific reasons for your dispute. It cites the relevant provisions of California Civil Code §1950.5, gives your landlord a deadline to respond, and warns of the potential 2x penalty for bad faith retention of a security deposit. It is a formal legal demand letter, not a form letter.

Why certified mail instead of email or regular mail?

USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt creates a legal paper trail. If your case goes to small claims court, you can prove with the signed receipt that your landlord received the demand letter. A landlord cannot claim they never got it. Certified mail also signals that you are serious about pursuing your deposit, which is why most landlords respond to it.

What information do I need to fill out the form?

• Your name, email address, and forwarding mailing address
• Your rental property address and tenancy dates (move-in and move-out)
• Your landlord's legal name and mailing address (where we send the letter)
• The total deposit amount and how much, if any, was returned
• The reason(s) you are disputing the deductions

Tip: Check your lease for your landlord's mailing address. You can also look up the property owner address in your county's public property records.

What if I don't have my landlord's mailing address?

Start by checking your lease agreement — the landlord's mailing address is usually listed there. You can also try the address where you mailed rent payments, the property management company's office address, or search public property records for the property owner's address.

What happens after my letter is delivered?

You'll receive a delivery confirmation email with the signed receipt. Most landlords respond within 2 weeks. We send you a 30-day follow-up email reminding you of your options. If your landlord does not respond or return your deposit within 30 days of confirmed delivery, you can request a full refund of the $35 fee, or apply that $35 as a credit toward our Small Claims Kit.

What is the Small Claims Kit?

The Small Claims Kit is a document preparation and guidance package for California tenants who need to file a small claims lawsuit after their landlord didn't respond to the demand letter. It includes a pre-filled SC-100 court form (the official California small claims filing form), county-specific courthouse information, service of process instructions, and an interactive step-by-step dashboard with email reminders to keep you on track.

What's included in the kit?

• Pre-filled SC-100 form — the official California small claims court filing form, filled out with your case details. You just print and sign.
• County-specific filing guide — exact courthouse address, filing hours, phone number, and filing fee for your county.
• Service of process instructions — how to legally notify your landlord of the lawsuit, with local options and costs.
• Interactive checklist dashboard — a step-by-step guide through every phase: preparing your form, filing, serving your landlord, preparing for the hearing, and the hearing itself.
• Email deadline reminders — so you never miss a deadline.
• Hearing preparation materials — what to expect, what to bring, and key legal points from your dispute type to reference in court.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims court?

No. In California small claims court, attorneys are not allowed to represent parties at the hearing. The process is specifically designed for people to represent themselves. You simply explain your situation to the judge. Our kit prepares you to do exactly that.

How long does the small claims process take?

After you file, the court schedules a hearing date. In California, most hearings are scheduled within 30–70 days after filing. The hearing itself is typically 15–30 minutes.

Do I have to file the kit through DepositBack's platform?

No. The kit gives you all the documents and instructions you need. You take the printed SC-100 form to your local courthouse (or e-file if your county supports it) and handle the process yourself. DepositBack does not file anything on your behalf with the kit.

Which California counties does the kit support?

The kit currently supports select California counties. If your county is not yet supported, you can enter your email on the kit purchase page to be notified when your county is added. We're expanding county by county.

Can I get the kit even if I didn't use DepositBack for my demand letter?

Currently the kit is available as an upgrade from a demand letter order placed through DepositBack. If you sent your own demand letter and want to purchase the kit, contact us at support@depositback.co and we'll help.

What are your prices?

• Demand Letter: $35 (one-time, covers generation, printing, and USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt)
• Small Claims Kit: $65, or $30 if you apply your $35 demand letter credit

How does the money-back guarantee work?

Our money-back guarantee applies only to the $35 demand letter fee. If your landlord does not return your deposit or respond to the demand letter within 30 days of confirmed delivery, you can request a full $35 refund. You can also choose to apply the $35 as a credit toward the Small Claims Kit instead of getting a refund. Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days to your original payment method.

When am I NOT eligible for a refund?

• Your landlord responded and returned the deposit (the service worked).
• The letter was undeliverable because you provided an incorrect landlord address.
• 30 days have not yet passed since confirmed delivery.
• The $35 has already been applied as credit toward the Small Claims Kit and your kit has been generated.
• Court filing fees, service of process fees, or other third-party charges (for example, paid to the court or sheriff) — these are never refundable through DepositBack.

Can I get a refund if the letter hasn't been delivered yet?

If your letter has not yet been mailed, contact us immediately at support@depositback.co and we may be able to cancel it. Once the letter has been sent to the mailing service, we cannot cancel the mailing. The 30-day refund window begins from the date of confirmed delivery.

How do I request a refund?

Go to your order status page (link was emailed to you when you placed your order). After 30 days from confirmed delivery, you'll see a refund option on that page. Alternatively, email us at support@depositback.co with your order ID.

Is payment secure?

Yes. All payments are processed securely by Stripe, a leading payment processor. DepositBack never stores your credit card number.

How do I track my order?

After your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your order ID and a link to your order status page. You can also visit depositback.co/track and enter your order ID to check the current status of your letter.

I didn't receive a confirmation email. What should I do?

Check your spam or junk folder first. If it's not there, email us at support@depositback.co with the email address you used to place the order and we'll look up your order.

Can I change the landlord's address after placing my order?

If your letter has not yet been submitted to the mailing service, contact us immediately at support@depositback.co. Once the letter has been sent to the printer, we cannot modify the recipient address.

What does each order status mean?

• Paid: Payment received; letter is being generated.
• Letter sent: The letter has been submitted to our mailing service for printing and dispatch.
• In transit: The letter is on its way via USPS Certified Mail.
• Delivered: USPS confirms your landlord received the letter. The 30-day response window starts now.

Is DepositBack a law firm?

No. DepositBack is a document preparation service. We help you generate and send legal demand letters and prepare court filing documents, but we do not provide legal advice and we do not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney.

Which states do you support?

Currently, DepositBack supports California only. Our demand letters cite California Civil Code §1950.5 and our Small Claims Kit is designed for California courts. We're working on expanding to other states. Check this Support Center for updates.

Do you guarantee I'll get my deposit back?

No. DepositBack does not guarantee any specific outcome. The effectiveness of a demand letter depends on many factors outside our control, including your landlord's response and the specific facts of your case. That is why we offer a money-back guarantee: if the demand letter doesn't produce a result in 30 days, you don't pay for it.

How long do I have to claim my deposit back in California?

In California, you generally have up to 4 years to file a small claims lawsuit for breach of contract (which includes security deposit disputes). However, acting sooner is better — evidence is easier to gather and landlords are more likely to respond promptly to a recent demand.

What is \"normal wear and tear\"?

Normal wear and tear includes minor scuffs on walls, small nail holes, faded paint, worn carpet in traffic areas, and other minor marks from everyday use. Landlords cannot charge you for normal wear and tear. \"Damage\" means something broken, stained, or destroyed beyond normal use.

Can I use DepositBack if I moved out more than a year ago?

Yes. Because California gives you up to 4 years to file a small claims lawsuit for breach of contract, you can still pursue an improperly withheld deposit even if you moved out more than a year ago. That said, the sooner you act, the easier it is to gather evidence and get a timely response from your landlord.