New Jersey Security Deposit Itemization Letter Template
What a New Jersey security deposit itemization letter must include under New Jersey law, and a fill-in draft that follows those rules.
What New Jersey law requires
Within 30 days after the lease ends, the landlord must return the deposit plus the tenant's share of interest, less charges allowed by the lease, by personal delivery or registered or certified mail. The interest and any deductions must be itemized, and the tenant (or, after a death termination, the executor, administrator or surviving spouse) notified by personal delivery or registered or certified mail. No deductions may be made while the tenant remains in possession. Shorter deadlines: 5 business days after displacement by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation (with official posting or certification), and 15 business days after a domestic-violence termination; in those cases the money must be available on demand.
Source: N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1
Fill-in draft
Replace every [bracketed] item. If your state or city requires specific wording, a specific form, or a translated version, that requirement controls over this draft. Courts dismiss eviction cases over defective notices — if anything is unclear, talk to a lawyer.
STATEMENT OF SECURITY DEPOSIT DEDUCTIONS
To: [former tenant name(s)], at [forwarding address]
Premises: [street address, unit]
Tenancy ended / possession returned on: [date]
Deposit held: $[amount] Interest (if required): $[amount]
Deductions (itemized): [item — reason — cost], [item — reason — cost]
Amount returned: $[amount], sent by [method] on [date]. This statement is provided under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1.
Date: [date]
Landlord or agent: [name, address, phone]
Signature: ____________________
Proof of delivery: Delivered on [date] by [method required by New Jersey law] by [name].
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.