Common Security Deposit Charges

How do I get my security deposit back?

This is an important question to both the tenant and the landlord property owner.

The answer is along the lines of common sense. If it makes sense, then it is likely what makes sense in the eyes of tenant/landlord law.

Besides what is "legally allowed" for a property owner to charge a tenant, we also have do what is the right thing to do in respects to our tenants. Our approach regarding security deposits is based upon what we are allowed to do by law, then we hold that against commonly accepted, best practices regarding landlords and property management companies; then we consider if we truly feel this is actually a tenant expense at all. This combination governs our pre-set approach regarding security deposits.

Grow Property Management has been able to return most security deposit monies back to our tenants that have moved out of the properties that we manage.

But here are the parameters we often follow.

Essentially, most people already know, that a tenant is to return a property in similar condition that it was received. In respects to a property rented through Grow Property Management, this means similar condition to the pre-move in photos, taken before a tenant takes possession of a property.

Any damage, or lack of cleanliness, to a rental property, that is beyond Normal Wear and Tear, can be a possible charge against a tenant and their security deposit.

We charge a tenant the “approximate cost” of putting the property correct. By approximate cost we mean, the reasonable, and expected charge we would likely have to pay a professional to fix a problem left by a tenant.

A landlord property owner can then determine whether they want to have the correction to the property made, or to just hold on to the compensation. For example, if a tenant leaves an uncleanable stain, on a carpet, they would risk a charge as the property owner deserves to be compensated. But the landlord might decide to leave the stain; even if the tenant's security deposit is charged.

Here is a list of common charges tenants of Grow Property Management can expect when they move out. The list is non-inclusive and the actual charges might exceed what is here. For example, a more expensive rental property, might have far more expensive components, requiring larger charges.

So this is merely to be used as guideline for reference.