Security-deposit agreements
Record how a tenant's deposit is held, what it may be used for and how it is returned.
Set how a security deposit is held and returned.
- Personal & business / Legal document
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Key features
Amount, receipt and holding
The sum, when and how it is paid, a written receipt, and where it is held, with a duty to say if that changes.
Not rent
A statement that the deposit is not rent and cannot be treated as the last month's.
What it may and may not cover
Unpaid amounts, damage, cleaning beyond the lease and unreturned keys, but not fair wear and tear, the landlord's own repairs or improvements.
Condition records and inspection
A signed schedule at the start and an inspection at the end with a written list of claims and costs.
Return, dispute and sale of the property
Return with an account and receipts, how the tenant disputes what is kept, and what happens if the landlord sells.
About this document
A security deposit agreement records the deposit a tenant pays a landlord: the amount, when and how it is paid, how it is held, whether it earns interest, what it may and may not be used for, the start and end inspections, how it is returned and how disputes are raised.
This blank form leaves every amount and period blank. Deposit law is among the most state-specific in landlord–tenant matters: limits, where it must be held, interest, itemised deductions and deadlines for return can all be set by statute or local rule. Check what applies before you fill in any figure.
Is this document right for you?
Useful when
- You are taking or paying a deposit and want terms recorded
- You want a clear process for deductions and return
- You want inspections at the start and end agreed
Commonly used by
- Landlords and tenants
- Property managers
- Roommates dealing with a landlord
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Alternatives
These are separate documents, for different jobs.
- Residential lease agreementsSet the terms for renting a home.View document
- Lease AddendumAdd terms or conditions to an existing lease.View document
- Roommate agreementsAgree how housemates share rent, bills and space.View document
- Tenant legal supportLegal help for the matters tenants face.View document
When to use this
- A landlord takes a deposit on a new tenancy
- A dispute is possible over cleaning costs
- A property is sold during the tenancy
What happens next
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More in Lease, Rental & Tenancy
- Residential lease agreementsSet the terms for renting a home.View document
- Commercial lease agreementsSet the terms for renting business premises.View document
- Roommate agreementsAgree how housemates share rent, bills and space.View document
- Short-term rental agreementSet the terms for letting a property to a guest for a short stay.View document
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Questions
About the security-deposit agreements
The form leaves the amount blank. Limits differ by state and locality, and some places also say where and how it must be held.
Still have a question? .