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Demand letters can be used in situations like personal injury cases, contract disputes, and debt collection. The aim of a demand letter is to state the sender’s position clearly and concisely, and to allow the other party to reply before any legal steps are taken. In certain cases, a demand letter may be the initial stage of a formal legal process, while in others, it may lead to negotiation or settlement.
Below we have included a chart that goes over different situations where sending a demand letter can be beneficial. We have also included our free demand letter templates for each situation described.
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Sample Demand Letter By Issue
When should you send a demand letter? | Sample Demand Letter |
|---|---|
You agreed to work as a general contractor for a homeowner and enter into a contract. However, when you show up at the job site, the homeowner informs you they hired someone else. | |
You were in a no-injury car accident, and your car was damaged. | |
You lent someone money, and they refuse to pay you back the money they owe you. | |
You own a small business and are having trouble getting clients to pay their outstanding or past-due invoices. | |
Your neighbor drove their car into your front lawn and damaged your property. | |
Your ex took your dog and refuses to return them. | |
You purchased a product from an online vendor, but they never shipped the item. Now you want to request a refund. | |
You keep receiving robocalls trying to sell you various goods and services. | |
You provided services to a client, and they never pay for the services. |
Sample Demand Letter by Receiver
When should you send a demand letter? | Sample Demand Letter |
|---|---|
Airline lost or damaged your bags, won’t refund you, or cancelled your flight. | |
You purchased a car from the car dealership with several mechanic defects. | |
You hired a contractor that never shows up. Now you want to request a refund. | |
Your employer doesn’t pay you | |
You have homeowner’s insurance, and your insurance company is denying a valid claim. | |
Your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs to your apartment as per your lease. | |
You took your car to a mechanic, and they perform improper repairs. | |
Your tenant refuses to pay rent. |
Sample Security Deposit Demand Letter
When should you send a demand letter? | Sample Demand Letter |
|---|---|
Your landlord refuses to return your security deposit. | |
You rented an apartment in California, and your landlord refuses to return your security deposit within 21 days. | |
You moved out of your apartment in New York, and your landlord refuses to return your security deposit within 14 days. | |
You move out of your apartment in Texas, and your landlord refuses to return your security deposit within 30 days. |
Sample Small Claims Demand Letter
When should you send a demand letter? | Sample Demand Letter |
|---|---|
You want to sue someone in small claims court, and the court you are filing your lawsuit in asks that you demand payment first. | |
You want to sue someone in California small claims court. Before filing, you need to demand payment. | |
You want to sue a business in Texas small claims court for violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practice Act. Before filing, you need to provide the business with written notice. | |
You want to send someone written notice of your intent to sue. | |
You are trying to settle a dispute. | |
Your client has failed to respond to any of your past invoice notices or demand letter. |
Camila Lopez
Legal Educator @ People Clerk. Camila holds a law degree and is a certified mediator. Her passion is breaking down complicated legal processes so that people without an attorney can get justice.