Other Security Deposit Forms
Aside from the main rental security deposit form, there are other documents that you need to consider.
A security deposit receipt is a legal document showing proof that you, the landlord, has collected the security
deposit from the tenant. It shows the amount of deposit made and in which bank or institution it’s held.
Both the tenant and landlord should then affix their signatures to this security deposit agreement form,
making it official.
The other rent security deposit form you need to have ready is the security deposit refund letter. Also
called a
security deposit release form
, it’s used at the end of the rental period when the security deposit is returned to the tenant. The most
important part of this form is the breakdown of deductions to pay for any repairs or damages made by the tenant.
Some states will also require you to pay interest charges on the deposit, which should be indicated in this
form as well.
You’ll have access to all security deposit agreement templates and security deposit form PDFs when you join
the American Apartment Owners Association.
The Importance of a Security Deposit Receipt
A rental security deposit agreement form is essential for recording that a transaction occurred between you
and the tenant. When disputes arise, it can serve as legal proof to the court that the tenant has already paid
their security deposit. Some state landlord tenant law guidelines require
landlords to provide a copy of this security deposit form to tenants.
A security deposit receipt protects both the tenant and the landlord. For the tenant, having documented
proof of payment is essential. It's especially true if he or she is paying in cash since cash doesn't
have a paper trail.
As the landlord, giving out a deposit receipt is good business practice. It will also make it easy to manage
your rental business. Imagine if you had to manage
rental
agreement details for an apartment complex. It gets complicated to remember the security deposit
transactions of dozens of tenants.
How to Write a Security Deposit Receipt
It’s recommended that you start with a set security deposit agreement format instead of writing one from
scratch. It will make everything more straightforward, while ensuring you don't miss out on any critical
details. You can download our templates once you have a membership.
With the document ready, start by writing down the date of the receipt and the full name of the tenant.
Remember to fill it out correctly: any errors or omissions can be used to nullify your case should you
choose to file an eviction proceeding in the future.
Next, state the amount of funds deposited, plus the bank or institution where it is held. Indicate
the bank’s name and complete address, as well as the account number. Also be sure to write down the
date the deposit was made.
Finally, affix your signature and the date to make it official.
The Benefits of a Security Deposit Refund Letter
Like the rental deposit receipt form, a deposit refund letter serves as legal proof that the deposit
has been returned to the tenant. But the importance of this form is emphasized even more when there
are deductions to be made.
A refund letter also clearly states how much was deducted from the deposit amount, and why. It gives the
tenant a breakdown of such expenses so that everything is in black and white. Ideally, these have already
been discussed beforehand, during the moving out process.
For landlords, a refund letter protects you from any illegal deduction complaints from a tenant. You can also
show it as proof that you have paid out the correct interest on their security deposit if required by law.
How to Write a Security Deposit Refund Letter
As with any other important document, begin by downloading a copy of the security deposit refund
form PDF here at our website.
First, provide necessary details like the name of the tenant and the address of the property in question.
Again, be careful to fill this out correctly, as any errors can invalidate your claims in court.
Next, indicate information regarding the security deposit. Give the exact amount deposited by the tenant,
and the interest accrued if applicable. More importantly, write down the exact date when this was paid to
you—you can use the security deposit receipt as a supporting document.
Then, list down all the deductions due to any damages made by the tenant on the property. Be as exact
and descriptive as you can to avoid any misinterpretation.
Finally, tally the outstanding deposit amount due to the tenant (deposit made less any deductions). Affix
your signature to make it official.
Signing up for AAOA will get you access to security deposit form templates and any other management services
you need such as tenant screening or
tenant background checks.
Sign up for your account today!
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