From the Forum: How Much to Deduct From a Tenant's Security Deposit?

A Brownstoner reader who’s a first-time landlord has a question about security deposit etiquette.

castafiore002 writes:

I am a first time landlord, my tenant just moved out over the weekend, she still has a week left in her lease to give her time to clean.

Thus far, the apartment has been left in a very good shape, just needs a fresh coat of paint. She just made a lot of holes, I guess for picture frames, furniture and/or shelving.

What is a typical rule or etiquette about what to dock out of the security, obviously I will not charge for the painting and minor cosmetic upgrades.

If you’re a landlord, what have you deducted — if anything — for this kind of wear and tear? And if you’re a tenant, what has a landlord docked from your security deposit upon move-out? Commenters suggest nothing should be deducted under these circumstances, but it opened up a good conversation about what tenants should do before leaving.

Share your thoughts over in the original post.

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[Photo illustration: Barbara Eldredge]