A security deposit is a payment required by a landlord from a tenant to cover the expenses of any repairs of damages to the premises greater than normal "wear and tear." Everyday usage is normal wear and tear, but excess damage is a debated definition. A security deposit is not the same as rent. It is money that actually belongs to the tenant but is held by the landlord for tenant-caused damages and sometimes past-due rent. Without the agreement of the landlord, a security deposit may not legally be used as the last month's rent.
Laws vary by state, but some states place a limit on the amount of a security deposit that a landlord may charge. Some states also regulate where residential security deposits must be kept and when interest payments on the security deposits must be made to the tenant. State laws also define the time period after the tenant vacates within which the deposit must be returned to the tenant. Subject: Return of Security Deposit — DeductionAppliedie— - [Property Address] Dear [Tenant's Name], We hope this letter finds you well. As your landlord and primary point of contact during your tenancy at [property address], we are pleased to initiate the process of returning your security deposit. However, we regret to inform you that after conducting a thorough inspection of the premises, we have identified certain expenses that require deduction from the total security deposit amount. Upon reviewing the condition of the property upon your departure, the following deductions have been applied: 1. Cleaning and Repairs: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: In order to restore the property to its original clean and habitable condition, professional cleaning services were necessary. Additionally, repairs were required for damages beyond normal wear and tear, such as [specific repairs, e.g., wall patching, carpet cleaning, etc.]. 2. Unpaid Rent: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: We have deducted the outstanding balance of unpaid rent from the security deposit, covering the period of [specific dates]. Please refer to your rental agreement and tenancy records for verification. 3. Utility Charges: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: As agreed in the lease agreement, tenants are responsible for all utility charges. Upon finalizing the utility bills for your tenancy, we found an outstanding balance that has been deducted from your security deposit. 4. Other Deductions: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: In addition to the above deductions, there were other expenses incurred for [specific reasons, e.g., missing or damaged items, maintenance fees, etc.]. We have detailed these expenses in the attached breakdown. The total amount deducted from your original security deposit of $[Total Security Deposit] is $[Total Deductions]. Therefore, the amount remaining to be returned to you is $[Amount to be Returned]. Please note that we have enclosed an itemized breakdown of the deductions, along with any supporting documentation, in the attached document. We believe it is important to be transparent and provide you with a clear understanding of the deductions applied. We kindly request that you review the documentation and deductions mentioned. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the deductions, please contact us within ten (10) business days from the date of this letter. If we do not hear from you within this period, we will assume that you agree with the deductions, and the remaining deposit amount will be processed for return. Once again, we appreciate your tenancy and cooperation throughout the lease term. We hope that you found your stay at [property address] comfortable and enjoyable. Should you require any further assistance or have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Sincerely, [Landlord's Name] [Landlord's Contact Information] Attachments: 1. Itemized Deductions Breakdown 2. Supporting Documentation.
Subject: Return of Security Deposit — DeductionAppliedie— - [Property Address] Dear [Tenant's Name], We hope this letter finds you well. As your landlord and primary point of contact during your tenancy at [property address], we are pleased to initiate the process of returning your security deposit. However, we regret to inform you that after conducting a thorough inspection of the premises, we have identified certain expenses that require deduction from the total security deposit amount. Upon reviewing the condition of the property upon your departure, the following deductions have been applied: 1. Cleaning and Repairs: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: In order to restore the property to its original clean and habitable condition, professional cleaning services were necessary. Additionally, repairs were required for damages beyond normal wear and tear, such as [specific repairs, e.g., wall patching, carpet cleaning, etc.]. 2. Unpaid Rent: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: We have deducted the outstanding balance of unpaid rent from the security deposit, covering the period of [specific dates]. Please refer to your rental agreement and tenancy records for verification. 3. Utility Charges: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: As agreed in the lease agreement, tenants are responsible for all utility charges. Upon finalizing the utility bills for your tenancy, we found an outstanding balance that has been deducted from your security deposit. 4. Other Deductions: — Deduction: $[Amount— - Explanation: In addition to the above deductions, there were other expenses incurred for [specific reasons, e.g., missing or damaged items, maintenance fees, etc.]. We have detailed these expenses in the attached breakdown. The total amount deducted from your original security deposit of $[Total Security Deposit] is $[Total Deductions]. Therefore, the amount remaining to be returned to you is $[Amount to be Returned]. Please note that we have enclosed an itemized breakdown of the deductions, along with any supporting documentation, in the attached document. We believe it is important to be transparent and provide you with a clear understanding of the deductions applied. We kindly request that you review the documentation and deductions mentioned. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the deductions, please contact us within ten (10) business days from the date of this letter. If we do not hear from you within this period, we will assume that you agree with the deductions, and the remaining deposit amount will be processed for return. Once again, we appreciate your tenancy and cooperation throughout the lease term. We hope that you found your stay at [property address] comfortable and enjoyable. Should you require any further assistance or have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Sincerely, [Landlord's Name] [Landlord's Contact Information] Attachments: 1. Itemized Deductions Breakdown 2. Supporting Documentation.
