When you enter a rental or lease agreement, you'll usually have to give your landlord a security deposit as collateral. This means that if you cause any damage to the rental property while you are living in it, your landlord can use the deposit to pay for repairs. On the other hand, if you leave the apartment in the state it was when you first moved in (or in otherwise satisfactory condition), your landlord must return your deposit. Since security deposits often amount to more than a month's rent, you'll want to make sure to treat the property well so that you get this significant amount of money back when you terminate your tenancy.
To get your security deposit back from your landlord, it's usually as easy as writing him or her a Security Deposit Refund Letter. In the letter, you should give a forwarding address and any other delivery instructions.
It's a good idea to take pictures of the apartment before you move in and just before you move out, so that you can show you did not damage the rental property beyond any expected wear and tear. Protect yourself and your deposit by walking through the apartment with the landlord, and make sure you both agree on the condition of the apartment.
Request your Security Deposit Refund by creating your letter online with Rocket Lawyer—it's fast and easy! You can also Consult a Legal Pro.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
