With final exams around the corner, we know that many students will be planning to head out of town soon. When you are ready to move out of your rental unit, make sure that you:
- Follow these steps provided by DPSS to ensure the property is safe and secure.
- Remove all of your property from the rental unit, because anything left in the unit may be removed or disposed of by the landlord.
- Ensure the property is left in clean and tidy condition. Any damage or issues could come out of your security deposit if you haven’t already addressed it with the landlord.
- Take pictures and/or video to document the condition of the property.
- Within 4-days of move-out, notify the landlord in writing of a forwarding address indicating where to send the security deposit. Send the letter by regular mail and keep a copy for your records. You may also email a copy of the letter to the landlord.
A security deposit can be used to reimburse the landlord for actual damages to the rental unit that are a direct result of conduct not reasonably expected in the normal course of living in a rental unit. A security deposit can also be used to reimburse the landlord for unpaid utility bills and past due rent. The landlord may not deduct from the security deposit for cleaning.
The process for the return of your security deposit is:
- Within 4 days of the termination of the tenancy the tenant must notify the landlord in writing by regular mail of a forwarding address indicating where to send the security deposit. You can also email this notice. (Keep a copy of this letter)
- Within 30 days of termination the landlord must return the full security deposit, or send the tenant an itemized list of damages along with any undisputed portion of the security deposit. If your landlord does not contact you within 30-days you may be entitled to a return of your full security deposit.
- Within 7 days of receiving the itemized list of damages, the tenant must respond to the landlord’s claim of damages in writing by regular mail if the tenant disputes the charges.(Keep a copy of this letter)
- Within 45 days from the time the tenant has vacated the property, the landlord can sue to retain any disputed security deposit money. If the landlord fails to sue to retain the disputed security deposit, the tenant may be entitled to double the amount of the deposit withheld.
Getting more help:
If you have any questions regarding your security deposit please request an appointment with Student Legal Services.