What are my options if my landlord does not return my deposit money?

Here are the systematic options to collect back full security deposit from landlord

Be early and proactive: Before you vacate the property that is during the notice period. Talk to your landlord about your refund figure. Don’t wait till last date because its hectic to handle everything on last day. I mean handling packers & movers, termination inspection with landlord or broker, and argument about refund. So keep the refund discussion early and settled.

Key handover: Receive the complete security deposit refund before you hand back the property key to landlord. Don’t believe false promise and hand back the property key without receipt of security deposit or at least part of security deposit. Later you may regret this action by the way of further cut in deposit, delayed refund, or not bothered to talk to you.

Drop the bomb: Tell landlord that you will not vacate the property and not pay the rent until you refund the complete security deposit. Most likely, landlord may be worried, especially if they already found the new replacement tenant waiting to occupy

Take the agreement and friends to landlord: Don’t give up just because landlord is saying something. Stand at your point and argue for your full refund. Anything not mentioned in rental agreement should not be considered. Keep friends or colleagues beside for your support.

Support from society members: If the property is located in gated community, typically know as apartment. Take the issue to society members like president or secretary. Seek amicable resolution through members or write the issue in society platforms like Whatsapp group and any other communication platform to take support.

Complain at local police station: Most of the police officers are supportive if your point of view is genuine. Below is one such incident happened to my client in Bangalore.
One of my client is a tenant and a college student. Landlord took advantage of naive student and deducted Rs.40K from security deposit for renovation of painting and cleaning instead of Rs. 12K.

As per the rental agreement, it is one month rent as renovation cost that is Rs. 12K but landlord was not convinced with tenant so tenant approached the local police station with fear and anxiety. Their police officer seems to be very gentile, comforted the tenant, listened to our issue and he immediately called the landlord to station and blasted him. I enjoyed watching at landlord’s puppy face.

Complete refund came immediately without any further discussion.

6. Hire a lawyer: Send legal notice to landlord for refund. It will cost you not more than Rs. 1.5K with reasonable lawyer. Spending this cost is worth recovering heft security deposit from landlord.

Few important points to be considered.

Don’t accept cheque from landlord at the time of termination. If you accept cheque, make sure that cheque is realized before you vacate the property.
Most likely, going through court is waste of time, effort, and money. The best and possible way to get the deposit is to don’t vacate or don’t hand back the key until you get your security deposit.

Try to negotiate the settlement with landlord before you involve friends, colleagues, society members, police, and lawyer.

All the best…

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Thank you for reading…