The general rule is that a landlord or property manager can only withhold money from the deposit for actual damages, whether they are material or financial. This means that you can deduct money if the tenant owes you past due rent or fees or if they caused damages beyond normal wear and tear.

How do I ask for deposit back nicely?

Your demand letter should:

1. Concisely review the main facts and lay out the reasons your landlord owes you money.
2. Include copies of relevant letters and agreements, such as your notice to move out.
3. Ask for exactly what you want, such as the full amount of your deposit within ten days.
4. Cite state security deposit law.

Can landlord withhold deposit?

Your landlord can only do this if you left your tenancy early. Your landlord may try to withhold some or all of your deposit for a different reason, such as having a noisy party in the property. Your landlord cannot do this. Landlords can only take money for any financial loss they have suffered.

Is it normal to ask for a holding deposit?

If you’ve agreed to rent an apartment but can’t move in immediately, the landlord may ask you for a holding deposit. A landlord may keep at least some of your deposit if you change your mind about moving in for reasons that are no fault of the landlord or the apartment.

Are holding fees legal?

Landlords or their agents are no longer allowed to charge tenants for anything except: the rent, the tenancy deposit and a holding deposit (more on these below). This means you are no longer allowed to ask tenants to cover the cost of their own referencing.

How do I get my holding deposit back?

In most circumstances, if the landlord decides not to offer you a tenancy, you should get your holding deposit back within 7 days. You should also receive a refund on your holding deposit in full if the ‘deadline for agreement’ has passed but you’ve already taken all plausible steps to agree on a tenancy before then.