Security Deposit
Money a renter pays upfront that a landlord returns after move-out, minus any legitimate damage or cleaning costs.
A security deposit is money a tenant pays at the start of a lease that the landlord holds as protection against damage, unpaid rent, or excessive cleaning. After move-out, the landlord must return it, minus documented and legitimate deductions, within a window set by local law, commonly 14 to 30 days.
The recurring conflict is what counts as a legitimate deduction. Normal wear and tear, faded paint, minor carpet wear, small nail holes, cannot legally be charged in most places. Actual damage, holes in walls, stains, broken fixtures, and cleaning beyond reasonable can be. The line is often disputed, which is why documentation decides outcomes.
Protecting your deposit comes down to evidence and timing. Photograph the unit empty at both move-in and move-out, clean to the lease's standard, return all keys with written acknowledgment, and follow up in writing if the deadline passes. A landlord who misses the legal return window may owe penalties, so knowing your local return window works in your favor.