Most deposit fights start with a vague agreement. Check these clauses before you sign.
- Deposit amount and refund timeline - "refunded within 7 days of handing over keys", not "after the next tenant moves in".
- Deductions - only for unpaid rent/bills and damage beyond normal wear and tear, with receipts. Repainting every room shouldn't be automatic.
- Lock-in period - if there's one, it should bind both sides; what happens if you leave early (forfeit one month, not the whole deposit).
- Notice period - usually one month either side; in writing.
- Rent increase - a fixed % (typically 5-10%) at renewal, not "as decided by the owner".
- Maintenance and society charges - who pays, included or extra.
- Repairs - major structural repairs and fixtures by the owner; small day-to-day by the tenant.
- Electricity and water - meter readings at move-in, bills in whose name.
- Inventory list - fans, lights, geysers, furniture, with condition. Take dated photos.
- Use and occupants - residential only, number of occupants, pets.
- Owner's entry - with notice, at reasonable times.
- Police verification - many cities require it; the owner usually files it.
At move-out
Give written notice, do a joint inspection, settle final bills, hand over keys against a written acknowledgement, and send a written request for the deposit with your bank details.
If the deposit isn't returned, a legal notice citing the agreement usually works; the next steps are the consumer commission (if a service is involved) or a civil suit.
Check your agreement - paste it and get unfair clauses flagged with fair rewrites.