Security deposits are not required by law, but virtually all rental properties — whether small and privately held or large and commercial — ask tenants to sign a security deposit agreement. Some properties will waive the security deposit requirement for tenants with solid employment and a high credit score, but this is the exception and not the rule.
Security deposits are usually due at lease signing, along with your first month's rent. Depending on local laws, the deposit could fall between one and three months of rent. A security deposit agreement — sometimes simply a clause included in the larger lease — will include the exact monetary amount that's being collected, the terms of its storage (some places will require the money to be held in escrow, others do not), the interest rate where applicable and the terms by which your landlord or property management company will be permitted to keep the any or all of the deposit. It should also specify the process for having the money returned at the conclusion of your tenancy.
If there's more than one tenant, each of them will be required to sign.
The below is an example of a security deposit agreement you might be required to sign as a condition of tenancy. A document like this will be presented to you by your property management company. You won't have to prepare it yourself, but we wanted to give you an idea of what type of language you might see on the agreement.
RENTER*:
Address:
Unit:
City:
State:
Zip:
Security Deposit: $
Paid By: ❏ Cash ❏ Check ❏ Money Order ❏ Deposit Transfer
1. Refund of the full Security Deposit by Owner to Renter depends upon Renter's full performance of the following terms of this Agreement. Renter agrees in order to avoid deductions from the Security Deposit:
A. To deliver to Owner a written notice of Renter's intent to vacate at least 30-days prior to any such vacating, and to vacate in strict compliance of such notice.
B. To pay in full all rent, late charges and other charges, if any, according to the terms of the Rental Agreement.
C. The Premises shall not be damaged nor evidence any use by Renter beyond ordinary wear and tear.
D. The entire Premises including (if any) range, filter(s), screen(s), refrigerator, bathroom(s), closet(s), walls and carpets shall be cleaned professionally by a licensed, insured company, to Manager's satisfaction, and such satisfaction, if expressed shall be evidenced by a written cleaning-release of Renter.
E. To remove all refuse from the Premises and to dispose of the same in proper disposal containers.
F. To return all keys to the Premises to the Manager on vacating the Premises.
2. All costs of labor and materials for needed cleaning, repairs and replacement beyond ordinary wear and tear based on Premises condition following inspection will be deducted from the Security Deposit.
3. If the Premises must be repaired or repainted, Renter will be charged for the unused portion of the item damaged or the current paint job, as follows: A new carpet is deemed to last 5 years and a new paint job is deemed to last three years. If, for instance:
A. The Premises had a new carpet and a new paint job at the commencement of the tenancy.
B. Renter vacates after one year; and,
C. The Premises, because of its condition, is required to be re-carpeted and/or repainted.
D. An amount equal to 4/5's of charge for the carpet when new and 2/3's of the charge for the paint job when new will be deducted from Renter's Security Deposit.
4. No portion of the Security Deposit refund shall be used or claimed to offset any rent or other amounts that may be due to Owner until Premises have been vacated by all persons and the keys returned to the Manager.
5. Any Security Deposit refund due to Renter shall be mailed to Renter to the forwarding address left with the Manager or, if none, to Renter in care of the Premises, within three weeks of Renter's vacating. The refund check will be payable jointly to all persona who appear as “Renter" on the Rental Agreement.
6. Renter represents and warrants that Renter has been advised about the house rules, occupancy obligations, standards of conduct, vacating procedures and Renter's right to request an Initial Inspection at termination. Renter understands and/or agrees to such rights and obligations.
7. Owner does not take responsibility to mediate disputes between or among Renters and the obligation to resolve disputes with others on the Premises is accepted by Renter as one of the obligations of the tenancy. Each Renter assumes the risk of residing on the Premises for himself/herself, his/her or their children and /or their personal property, without recourse against the Owner or Manager of the Premises.
Renter Signature:
Date:
*As used in this Standard Security Deposit Agreement the singular of a term shall include the plural and the term “Renter" shall include all persons listed hereon as Renter.