Apartment security deposits are usually refundable after move-out, minus lawful deductions for unpaid rent, cleaning, or damage beyond normal wear.
Security deposits feel simple when you pay them, then stressful when you leave. You hand over cash, you clean, you move, and you wait. If you’re asking are apartment security deposits refundable?, the honest answer is yes in many rentals, as long as the lease terms and local law are met.
Rules change by state and city, so treat this as a practical playbook, not a substitute for your local statute. You’ll see what can be deducted, what proof matters, and what to do if the refund doesn’t show up.
Apartment Security Deposits Refundable After Move-Out Basics
A security deposit is money the landlord holds to cover specific losses tied to the tenancy. It is not meant to become extra income. In many places, the default expectation is a refund unless the landlord can point to allowed deductions and show proof.
Two ideas drive most deposit outcomes:
- Normal wear: ordinary aging from normal living, like light scuffs or gradual carpet wear.
- Itemized deductions: a written list of each charge and why it was taken from the deposit.
| Move-Out Situation | Likely Deposit Result | Proof That Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Rent paid through the last day, unit broom-clean | Full refund is common | Move-out photos, rent ledger, receipt for returned lock keys |
| Small nail holes and light wall marks | No deduction in many cases | Dated move-in checklist, close-up photos |
| Trash left behind or fridge not cleaned | Cleaning deduction is common | Before/after photos, cleaning receipt |
| Broken window or large wall damage | Repair deduction is common | Photos, repair invoice, messages about the issue |
| Lost lock keys or missing garage remote | Replacement charge is common | Return log, replacement cost proof |
| Unpaid utilities billed to the owner | Utility deduction may apply | Final bill, meter photo, transfer confirmation |
| Early move-out that triggers lease break fees | Partial refund or none | Lease clause text, rerent date, written agreement |
| Pet stains or odor that needs treatment | Cleaning or repair deduction is common | Carpet report, deodorizing invoice, pet addendum |
| Roommates change and one stays on a new lease | Refund timing can shift | Lease change papers, deposit transfer note |
When Landlords Can Keep Part Of The Deposit
Most deductions fall into three buckets: money still owed, cleaning, or damage. A few leases add charges for missing items like remotes or access fobs. Judge a deduction with two questions: is it allowed, and is it backed up?
Unpaid Rent And Lease Charges
If rent is unpaid through the last day of the tenancy, many laws allow the landlord to apply the deposit to that balance. The same can happen with charges the lease clearly assigns to the tenant, like unpaid water billed back under the lease. Keep proof of your final payment and any “paid in full” message.
Cleaning To Restore Move-In Condition
Many landlords can charge for cleaning needed to restore the unit to the condition it was in at move-in, minus ordinary living marks. Cleaning disputes tend to come from vague, flat charges. A fair charge ties to a task list and a receipt, invoice, or time log.
When you clean, photograph the oven interior, the sink cabinet, the tub rim, baseboards, and the inside of the refrigerator. These are the usual flashpoints.
Damage Beyond Normal Wear
A faded paint patch from sun can be normal wear. A door kicked in is not. Worn carpet from regular foot traffic can be normal wear. Carpet ruined by stains and pet odor is not. Move-in photos help separate aging from damage.
Other Deductions You Might See
- Trash removal: bags or bulky items left behind can trigger haul-away charges.
- Rekeying: missing lock keys can lead to lock changes and new copies.
- Unauthorized changes: painting without permission or installing fixtures can bring restoration costs.
- Missing items: shelves, smoke detectors, or blinds can be billed if they disappear.
Many jurisdictions expect a written, itemized statement when the landlord keeps any portion of the deposit. One plain-English reference is the California courts’ security deposit return checklist, which lays out common deduction categories and the statement format.
Timing And Paperwork That Decide The Outcome
You move out, you wait, and nothing arrives. The deadline for returning the deposit or sending an itemized statement is set by local law. Some places use a two-week window. Others use three or four weeks. A few allow longer periods.
If you rent in New York, the statute spells out the itemized statement and the fourteen-day timeline. You can read it in New York General Obligations Law § 7-108.
What “Itemized” Should Include
An itemized statement is more than a single line that says “repairs.” You should see each charge separated, with a short label and a dollar figure. Many landlords attach receipts or invoices.
Send A Forwarding Address Before You Leave
Give the landlord a forwarding address in writing and keep a copy. No address often means no check and no statement, even when the landlord plans to pay.
Ask how the refund will be sent: check, electronic transfer, or pickup. If mail is used, confirm the name and unit number match your forwarding address.
Move-Out Habits That Raise Your Refund Odds
Protecting a deposit is mostly record-keeping. Start early, document the unit’s condition, and treat the handoff like a transaction with receipts.
Build A Move-In Record
On day one, take photos of each room and close-ups of existing issues like chips, stains, and worn appliances. Email them to yourself so they get a timestamp. If you receive a move-in condition form, fill it out with detail and keep a copy.
Use A Two-Week Move-Out Plan
- Patch small holes and touch up paint if your lease allows it.
- Clean in passes: kitchen, then bath, then floors and baseboards.
- Take photos after each room is finished, not only at the end.
Return Lock Keys With Proof
Hand lock keys to a person and get a dated receipt when you can. If you use a drop box, take a photo that shows the envelope and the drop.
Ask For A Walkthrough
Request a walkthrough a few days before you vacate. Bring your phone, take notes, and ask the landlord to point to items they plan to charge. If you can fix something on the spot, do it, then photograph the repair. If the landlord won’t do a walkthrough, send an email that says you asked and did not get one. That note can help later when surprise charges appear. On move-out day, do one last sweep: open cabinets, run the faucet, flush toilets, and take final photos after you lock the door.
Handle Roommates And Deposit Splits Early
If roommates leave at different times, ask in writing how the deposit will be handled: refund to the original group, transfer to a new lease, or a new deposit collected.
Are Apartment Security Deposits Refundable?
Back to the core question: are apartment security deposits refundable? In many rentals, yes, if rent is paid, the unit is returned in good shape, and deductions stay within the law. Gray areas like cleaning standards and aging items are where disputes start.
“Last month’s rent” is prepaid rent and should be applied to rent, not held for damage. If your paperwork is unclear, ask for a written receipt that states the amount, the purpose, and the move-out process.
What To Do If Your Deposit Isn’t Returned
When the deadline passes with no refund and no statement, act fast and stay calm. Send a short written request with your move-out date, forwarding address, and deposit amount. Ask for the refund or an itemized statement. Attach proof that you returned lock keys.
If you get a statement that feels wrong, dispute each charge in writing with a sentence and a photo. Ask for receipts or invoices. Keep your tone plain.
| Step | What You Send Or Gather | Timing Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Request the refund in writing | Letter or email with move-out date, address, deposit amount | Day after the legal deadline |
| Ask for itemized deductions | Request for a line-by-line list and receipts | Same message or next day |
| Dispute charges with proof | Photos, move-in form, cleaning receipts, rent ledger | Within a week of the statement |
| Send a formal demand letter | Tracked delivery, due date for payment, copies of proof | After no response |
| File in small claims | Lease, photos, messages, proof of delivery, statement | After your demand deadline |
| Bring a case packet | Printed timeline, labeled photos, receipts, account record | Hearing day |
| Report repeat conduct when allowed | Complaint to local housing office or state agency | When patterns are clear |
Write A Demand Letter That Gets Read
Keep it to one page. State the facts, cite your state’s deadline if you know it, and state the amount you want returned. Attach copies of your proof, not originals. Give a due date and a return address.
What Judges Tend To Watch
Judges often focus on the lease language, move-in condition, move-out condition, and the landlord’s paperwork. Photos with dates help. A clear timeline helps.
Move-Out Deposit Checklist
- Find your local deposit return deadline and mark it.
- Pay rent through the last day and save proof of payment.
- Take move-out photos of each room and high-risk spots.
- Clean the kitchen and bath and photograph inside appliances and cabinets.
- Return lock keys with a receipt or a recorded drop.
- Send your forwarding address in writing and save a copy.
Deposit fights feel personal, yet they’re usually paperwork fights. When your photos, receipts, and dates line up, you’re in a strong spot to get back what you paid.