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This money is deemed to be
security for any damage to the premises or non-payment of
rent. the security deposit does not relieve the tenant of
the duty to pay the last month's rent. It must be returned
to the tenant upon vacating the premises, if no damage has
been done beyond normal wear and tear and the rent is
fully paid.
If a landlord fails to
return the security deposit promptly, the tenant can sue
to recover that portion of the security deposit to which
the tenant is entitled.
A landlord leasing
residential real estate containing five or more units who
receives a security deposit may not withhold any part of
that deposit as compensation for property damage unless he
furnishes to the tenant, within thirty days of the date
the tenant vacates, a statement of damage allegedly caused
by the tenant and the estimated or actual cost of
repairing or replacing each item on that statement. If no
such statement is furnished within 30 days, the landlord
must return the security deposit in full within 45 days of
the date the tenant vacated.
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