Rental Deposit Rights

A tenant has the right to have her rental deposit returned.

When you move into a rental unit, you will likely be required to pay a deposit. This is used as collateral to the landlord that you will take care of the property. When you leave the premises, you have the right to have these funds returned if you leave the property in good condition.

Accounting

The landlord is required to provide an accounting of your deposit, typically within 30 days of vacating the premises. However, this varies from state to state. As part of this accounting, the landlord is required to disclose any damage done to the property and the amount of the deposit being deducted.

Wear and Tear

As the tenant, you have the right to leave the house with normal wear and tear, and it does not count against you in regards to the security deposit. This includes nail holes in the walls and normal wear of the carpet.

Deposit Return

If the property is left in decent condition, the landlord is required to return the deposit to you within a reasonable period of time. The exact time frame varies from state to state.

References

• Rentlaw: Getting Back Your Security Deposit