Washington Demand Letter Generator
Write a demand letter for money owed or a security deposit in Washington, with Washington's rules built in: the $10,000 small claims limit, the 30-day deposit deadline. It runs in your browser; nothing you type is stored or sent.
Everything you type stays in this browser. Nothing is sent to us or saved.
The date in the letter is counted from today.
Facts only: what was agreed, what was paid, what went wrong. Each line becomes a paragraph.
Washington rules this letter uses
Small claims court
Limit $10,000. Before you file: Not required by the sources we checked. Find the court, fee and filing steps
Check these before you send
- Add your name.
- Add the name of the person or business that owes you.
- Add the amount you are asking for.
Your letter
[Your name]
October 26, 2026
[Their name]
Re: Demand for payment of [amount]
Dear [Their name],
I am writing about the money I lent you.
This letter is a formal demand that you pay me [amount] by November 9, 2026, which is 14 days from the date of this letter.
Please contact me at the address above to arrange payment.
I would prefer to settle this without going to court. Please respond in writing.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Before you send
- Keep a copy of this letter and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
- Stick to the facts and the next step you will take. Do not threaten to report the person to the police or to expose them publicly to get paid.
- Lawsuits have deadlines (statutes of limitations). If the debt or damage is old, check the deadline before you rely on this letter.
- This letter template is general information, not legal advice.
Washington rules for demand letters
Small claims court in Washington
The general small claims limit in Washington is $10,000. The Washington small claims sources we checked do not require a demand before filing, but a written demand is still useful evidence. The claim must state its nature, amount and when it arose under oath; no demand before filing is required.
The small claims court finder shows the filing fee for your amount, where to file and how to serve; our Washington small claims guide walks through the whole case.
Security deposits in Washington
Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must give the tenant a full and specific statement of the basis for keeping any of the deposit, with documentation of damage charges, plus any refund due. A landlord who misses that deadline is liable for the full amount of the deposit. For an intentional refusal to give the statement, documentation or refund, the court may award up to twice the deposit, and the prevailing party is entitled to costs and a reasonable attorney fee. RCW 59.18.280(1)(a)
Consumer protection notice in Washington
The sources we checked show no general written-notice requirement before a consumer lawsuit under the Washington Consumer Protection Act. No pre-suit demand letter is required. A person injured by a violation may sue in superior court (or in district court, within its dollar limit) for actual damages, costs and a reasonable attorney fee.
What a demand letter should say
A demand letter is a short, factual request for payment. It names who owes whom, how much, and why; it sets a date to pay; and it says what you will do next if you are not paid. Keep it to what you could prove to a judge: the agreement, the dates, the amount, and any payments already made.
- Your name and mailing address, the date, and the other side's name and address.
- The amount you are asking for and how you got to it.
- A short account of what was agreed and what went wrong.
- A clear deadline and how to pay.
- Your next step if you are not paid, such as filing in small claims court.
Send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt, and keep a copy for the court file.
What this tool does not do
- It does not send the letter, store it, or put anything you type in the web address. Everything stays in your browser.
- It does not calculate interest, judge whether your claim is strong, or say what a court would award.
- It does not check your statute of limitations. Use the statute of limitations calculator.
- It is general information and a template, not legal advice.
Limits of this information
- Some landlords, leases and cities follow different deposit rules; the statute linked above lists exceptions.
- Laws change. These rules were checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
- This is a template and general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to send a demand letter before suing in Washington small claims court?
The Washington small claims sources we checked do not require a demand before filing, but a written demand is still useful evidence.
How much can I sue for in Washington small claims court?
The general limit is $10,000 (RCW 12.40.010(1)(a)). Pick Washington in the small claims court finder for the fee and filing steps.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Washington?
Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must give the tenant a full and specific statement of the basis for keeping any of the deposit, with documentation of damage charges, plus any refund due. A landlord who misses that deadline is liable for the full amount of the deposit. For an intentional refusal to give the statement, documentation or refund, the court may award up to twice the deposit, and the prevailing party is entitled to costs and a reasonable attorney fee.
Does Washington require notice before suing a business under its consumer protection law?
The sources we checked show no general written-notice requirement before a consumer lawsuit under the Washington Consumer Protection Act. No pre-suit demand letter is required. A person injured by a violation may sue in superior court (or in district court, within its dollar limit) for actual damages, costs and a reasonable attorney fee.
Sources
- RCW 12.40.010(1)(a) (small claims limit)
- RCW 12.40.050 (demand before filing)
- RCW 59.18.280(1)(a) (security deposit)
- RCW 59.18.280(2)
- RCW 19.86.090 (Washington Consumer Protection Act)
Washington rules checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
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