Glossary
Security deposit
Money a landlord holds against damage beyond normal wear and tear, refunded after move-out if the unit passes inspection.
A security deposit is a sum a landlord collects before move-in and holds as protection against unpaid rent or damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear. It usually equals one to two months of rent and is meant to be returned, in full or in part, after a final walkthrough at move-out.
How much comes back depends almost entirely on documentation and what you did to the walls, floors and fixtures while living there. Landlords compare the unit's condition at move-out to its condition at move-in, so any damage they can point to, like nail holes, adhesive residue or a chipped countertop, gets priced against your deposit unless you can show it was already there.
The most common deduction reasons are wall damage from hanging things, stains, and missing or broken fixtures, which is why renters lean on removable mounting and peel-and-stick products instead of drilling or gluing directly to a surface. The second most common mistake is skipping a written or photographed move-in inspection, which leaves no proof that scuffs, worn caulk or a stained carpet predate your lease.