When can a landlord refuse to return a security deposit?
The landlord has a right to withhold a security deposit for any of several reasons, such as if the tenant: • damaged the premises beyond ordinary wear and tear; • caused waste or neglect of the premises (such as leaving hot water running in the bathtub for days); • didn?t pay rent; • didn?t pay for utility services, whether the landlord provided these or the tenant paid the utility companies directly; or • didn?t pay mobile home parking fees that the local government assessed against the tenant. The landlord must give reasons in writing for refusing to return all or part of the security deposit. State law requires the landlord to provide this information within 21 days of the tenant vacating. The tenant must give the landlord his or her new address.
