When to send it
Your landlord may take a reasonable time to check whether they still have claims against you, often up to about six months; if the utility bill (Nebenkostenabrechnung) is still pending, they may hold back a reasonable part until it is ready. If a few weeks after the handover you have heard nothing, ask in writing. Our guide on getting your deposit back explains what may be deducted.
What the letter asks for
- Settlement of the deposit and payment including interest, to your account, by a date you set (usually two weeks).
- A comprehensible statement with receipts for any amount the landlord wants to keep.
- Proof of how the deposit was kept and how much interest it earned.
What you need
The amount of the deposit, the date you returned the flat (as in the handover record) and the account where the money should go. Check the IBAN carefully: the form tests its check digits.
Send the letter by Einwurf-Einschreiben and keep a copy. If the landlord doesn't pay, a tenants' association (Mieterverein) or the Amtsgericht can help; the claim expires only after three years.