Security Deposit and Move-In / Move-Out Checklist for Tenants in India

Before you start

• Note: this is practical guidance, not legal advice. Rules and customs differ by city and state, so read your own agreement carefully and, for large sums or disputes, seek professional advice.

What a security deposit is

• A security deposit is money you pay the owner at the start of the tenancy, held as protection against unpaid rent, unpaid bills or damage beyond normal wear. It is meant to be returned when you leave, after valid deductions. How much it is, whether it earns anything, and when it is returned are matters of agreement, and they vary from place to place. So ask, and put the answers in writing.
• India has no single rule for every tenancy. The Centre's Model Tenancy Act, 2021 (Section 11) proposes that a residential security deposit should not exceed two months' rent, and that it should be refunded when the landlord takes back vacant possession, after deducting any dues. It is a model law, which applies only where a state has adopted it or passed a similar law, so check what applies in your state and write the agreed terms into your agreement.

Before you pay: five questions

• How much is the deposit, and is it refundable in full?
• In how many days after I vacate will it be returned?
• What counts as a valid deduction (unpaid rent, utility dues, damage)?
• Who pays for painting or cleaning when I leave?
• What notice period must either side give?
• Get these answers in the rent agreement, not just by word of mouth. If you pay by bank transfer or UPI, that is easier to prove than cash. If you pay cash, ask for a signed receipt stating the amount, date and purpose.

The move-in routine

• Do this on the first day, before your belongings arrive, and with the owner or their representative present if possible.
• Room-by-room photo checklist
• Walls and ceiling — Cracks, damp patches, peeling paint, stains
• Floor — Chipped tiles, scratches, loose pieces
• Doors and windows — Locks, latches, glass, mosquito nets, hinges
• Electrical — Switches, fans, lights, sockets (test each), the electricity meter reading
• Plumbing — Taps, flush, drain flow, leaks under the sink, water pressure
• Kitchen — Platform, sink, chimney or fan, gas connection details
• Bathroom — Fittings, geyser, tiles, ventilation
• Furniture and fittings provided — Every item, with its condition
• Meters — Electricity and water or gas meter readings with date
• Take photos with the date visible on your phone, and send them to the owner by message the same day: "These are the conditions on [date]. Please let me know if you disagree." Their reply, or silence, becomes a record. Make a simple written list of items provided and have both parties sign it.

During the stay

• Pay rent by a traceable method and ask for a receipt every month.
• Report repairs in writing (a message is enough) and keep screenshots.
• Don't make permanent changes, like drilling or repainting, without written permission.
• Keep electricity, water and any maintenance bills so you can show that dues were paid.

The move-out routine

• Give notice in writing, within the notice period in your agreement.
• Settle bills. Pay the final electricity, water, gas and maintenance dues, and keep the receipts.
• Clean and fix small things. Cobwebs, stains, a missing bulb or a loose handle should not become reasons for deductions.
• Repeat the photo walk-through with the same list, and compare with the move-in photos.
• Invite the owner to inspect with you, and agree on the condition in writing.
• Return keys against a written acknowledgement.
• Confirm the refund date and the amount in a message.

Normal wear versus damage

• It helps to know the difference. Normal wear and tear comes from ordinary use: faded paint after a long stay, slightly worn floors, small nail holes from hanging a picture. Damage is more than that: broken fittings, burn marks, large holes, water damage from negligence. Owners can usually claim for damage, but not for ordinary ageing. Move-in photos help you show which is which.

If the deposit is delayed or reduced

• Start politely: send a message asking when the deposit will be returned and requesting an itemised list of deductions. Cite what the agreement says. Keep copies of everything. If the disagreement continues, you can approach a local mediator, the local community or a legal professional. Avoid threats, because they rarely help and can make settlement harder.

For owners: a short note

• If you rent out a place, the same records protect you. Photos at the start, a signed inventory and receipts for deposit and rent make later conversations short and calm.

Latest listings on FastBuySale

• Premium Bandra/Andheri leasing & salesMumbai
• Buy, sell & rent in PowaiMumbai
• Residential, commercial & SCO property, GurugramDelhi
• Gurgaon/NCR investment property dealsDelhi

• Browse all listings in this category: Property
• Post your item free

Safety tips

• Meet in a public, well-lit place and, where possible, take someone with you.
• Inspect the item before you pay and check it matches the listing.
• Never pay in advance, share OTPs, or move payment outside the agreed meeting.
• Keep contact through the listing page — contact details are privacy-gated in the app.
• Report suspicious sellers instead of continuing the conversation.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides