Damage that exceeds normal wear and tear.Some common security deposit deductions that you may want to consider adding to your lease include: Some state laws outline reasons why a landlord might withhold funds from a security deposit, but your lease should still be clear on what can be deducted to avoid disputes or legal proceedings.

Your lease should clearly specify the situations that would allow you, as the landlord, to keep all or part of the security deposit. What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit?

Either an attached check for the amount owed to the tenant or a request for the tenant to pay the amount due.

Copies of any repair and cleaning bills.A sentence noting that a financial statement of deductions is attached.Your itemized security deposit deduction letter should include: The tenant can dispute your reason for withholding part of their deposit, and if you don’t have documentation - and receipts - you could be held liable for the funds. Many states require an itemized list of causes for withholding security deposit funds, but even if your local laws don’t require that, it’s still a good practice to itemize deductions in a security deposit return letter. What should you include in a security deposit return letter? Many states require that the landlord provide a security deposit return letter before taking any portion of a tenant’s security deposit. It documents the amount of the security deposit that is being refunded and itemizes all funds used to cover damages or repairs for which the tenant is responsible. What is a security deposit return letter?Ī security deposit return letter is provided by the landlord when a tenant moves out. This resource is not a substitute for the advice or service of an attorney you should not rely on this resource for any purpose without consulting with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Landlord-tenant laws change rapidly and may be regulated at the federal, state, and local levels. does not make any guarantees about the sufficiency of the information in or linked to from this guide, or that it’s compliant with current, applicable, or local laws. Note: This guide is for informational purposes only.

Zillow tenant move out checklist