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    South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter

    Landlords must return the deposit, or give a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it, within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a mailing address or delivery instructions (SDCL § 43-32-24). The security deposit return letter below is preset for South Dakota: fill in your details, then print it or save it as a PDF.

    State rules last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    South Dakota rules for a security deposit return letter

    Deadline to return the security deposit
    21 days after the triggering event SDCL § 43-32-24 (as amended by SL 2026, ch 179), 2026 S.D. Sess. Laws ch. 179 (SB 4), § 1, SDCL § 2-14-16 (acts without an effective-date clause take effect July 1)
    Itemized list of deductions
    Required SDCL § 43-32-24
    Penalty for a late or improper return
    Landlord forfeits all rights to withhold any part of the deposit for noncompliance; bad-faith retention or bad-faith failure to give the statement or accounting adds punitive damages of up to $200 SDCL § 43-32-24

    Security Deposit Return Letter generator

    State and dates

    South Dakota: Landlords must return the deposit, or give a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it, within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a mailing address or delivery instructions (SDCL § 43-32-24).

    The day the tenant moved out and returned the keys.

    South Dakota's deadline depends on more than one date, so the form does not compute it. Landlords must return the deposit, or give a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it, within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a mailing address or delivery instructions (SDCL § 43-32-24).

    Parties

    Everyone named on the lease. Separate names with commas.

    Where you are sending this letter and any refund. Use the address the tenant gave you in writing.

    Deposit

    $
    $

    Only if your state, city or lease requires interest on deposits. Leave empty otherwise.

    Itemized deductions

    One line per charge: what it is for and the amount. Unused lines are left out. South Dakota: A landlord keeping any of the deposit must give a written statement of the specific reasons within 21 days, and on the tenant's request must provide an itemized accounting within 45 days after the tenancy ends (SDCL § 43-32-24).

    $
    $
    $
    $
    $
    $

    Several states require supporting documents for repair or cleaning charges. Attach them when you have them.

    Refund or balance

    For example, a note that an estimate will be followed by the final invoice.

    Blank PDF

    Free, no account needed. Showing example details. Replace them with yours.

    Security Deposit Return Letter

    Itemized statement of deductions

    Date:November 12, 2026
    Rental property:123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield
    To (former tenants):Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera
    Forwarding address:88 Birch Road, Apt 2, Shelbyville
    From (landlord):Jordan Ellis, 500 Oak Avenue, Springfield
    Move-out date:October 31, 2026

    Dear Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera:

    This letter accounts for the security deposit you paid for 123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield. You moved out on October 31, 2026. Below is an itemized list of each amount deducted from the deposit and the reason for it, followed by the balance.

    Itemized deductions

    No.Description of chargeAmount
    1Patch and paint hole in bedroom wall$180.00
    2Replace broken bathroom mirror$95.50
    3Remove furniture and trash left in garage$150.00
    Total deductions$425.50

    Deposit accounting

    ItemAmount
    Security deposit received$1,800.00
    Less total deductions- $425.50
    Amount refunded to tenant$1,374.50

    The refund of $1,374.50 is enclosed or sent with this letter by check no. 1043 on November 12, 2026.

    Copies of receipts, invoices or estimates supporting the deductions are enclosed.

    If you have questions about any deduction, contact Jordan Ellis at (555) 010-2030.

    Deposit return rules for South Dakota: SDCL § 43-32-24 (as amended by SL 2026, ch 179).
    Landlord or agent signature (Jordan Ellis)
    Date

    Made free at make.lease/forms/security-deposit-return-letter

    What South Dakota requires

    Deadline to return the security deposit

    Landlords must return the deposit, or give a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it, within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a mailing address or delivery instructions (SDCL § 43-32-24).

    SDCL § 43-32-24 (as amended by SL 2026, ch 179), 2026 S.D. Sess. Laws ch. 179 (SB 4), § 1, SDCL § 2-14-16 (acts without an effective-date clause take effect July 1) · checked October 26, 2026

    Itemized list of deductions

    A landlord keeping any of the deposit must give a written statement of the specific reasons within 21 days, and on the tenant's request must provide an itemized accounting within 45 days after the tenancy ends (SDCL § 43-32-24).

    SDCL § 43-32-24 · checked October 26, 2026

    Penalty for a late or improper return

    A landlord who misses the deposit rules forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit, and bad-faith retention or failure to give the required statement or accounting adds punitive damages of up to $200 (SDCL § 43-32-24).

    SDCL § 43-32-24 · checked October 26, 2026

    If the triggering event falls on October 31, 2026, 21 calendar days later is November 21, 2026. The form computes this deadline from the dates you enter and shows it under the letter date.

    City and county rules can be stricter than state law, and your lease can require more than the statute does. Use whichever rule gives the tenant more time or protection.

    More for South Dakota landlords