How to get full Refund of security deposit from landlord

1. Vacating your rented flat ?
How to get Security Deposit
back from the Landlord
in full and on time

2. 2
If you are a tenant and had bad experience
getting a refund of security deposit from the
landlord and wondering how to get it back
this time,
the answer is simple.
“Think as if you were the owner.
What would you expect your tenants to do ?”

3. 1. Pay your rent in full
• Every owner wants full rent from the move-in date till
move out date / or notice period whichever is later
• Steps that you should take
1. Pay rent till move out date in advance in the last month. Don’t
ask owner to adjust the unpaid rent against deposit.
2. Send a statement to the owner listing the dates, amount and
mode of payment so that he can check it quickly with his bank
statement and confirm that he has received full rent.
3. Don’t overstay beyond the notice date.
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4. 2. Pay all utilities till the last date
• Utilities:
– Electricity bill – send meter reading on last date to owner
– Gas bill -send meter reading on last date to owner
– Society maintenance – if agreed with the landlord
• Other Monthly bills
– Milkman, Grocery-wala
– Newspapers, Maids, Dhobi etc.
It’s a good practice to pay in advance for the last month and send
copy of last receipt to the landlord.
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5. 3. Fix damages before vacating
• Avoid damages – owners deduct money for any damage
• Fix any damages before vacating the house
– Scratches, marks, dents in the wall paint
– Screws in the wall, frames, marks of sticking tapes
– Screw holes of wall mounted LCD TV
– Cracked or broken glasses
– Large holes of air conditioners
– Broken or leaking plumbing items such as taps and showers
– Broken doors, windows and locks
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6. 4. Full Cleaning
Clean the house thoroughly before vacating
Pay special attention to:
– Blades of ceiling fans
– Kitchen trolleys, sliding channels, area below the trolleys
– Toilet bowls and basins
– Track of sliding doors and windows
– Clear any leftovers, bottles, packing materials
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7. 5. Inspection and return of keys
• Request owner to inspect the house after you have
cleaned the flat and verify its returned in clean condition
• Give your new address to the owner and all service
providers such as banks, mobile companies etc.
• Return all keys received from the owner including
duplicates
• Return any parking stickers or club access cards to the
owner or society if applicable.
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8. 6. Return of Security deposit
• Send your bank details to the owner and ask him to do a
nominal transfer couple of days before vacating.
• Most owners hold back the entire deposit till final utility bills
are received. Request owner to hold a minor part (say
around Rs 5000) till final bills are received (in 30 days) and
return a major amount in a couple of days of vacating the
house.
• Settle differences amicably. Do not get into arguments. It
only reduces your chances of getting back your money.
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9. Follow these steps and you will
walk home with your security
deposit on time.
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