Walk It Through: The Forwarding Address
A Texas deposit, from the last month's rent to three times what was kept.
The last month of the lease, and the deposit is about the size of the rent.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One deposit in one rental. What counts as normal wear and tear in a given case, a lease clause requiring advance notice of moving out, and how a court decides bad faith are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Forwarding addressThe written statement of where to send the refund. Until the tenant gives one, the landlord is not obligated to return the deposit or to give a written description of damages and charges.
- Normal wear and tearDeterioration that results from the intended use of a dwelling. A landlord may not keep any part of a deposit to cover it.
- Security depositAny advance of money, other than a rental application deposit or an advance payment of rent, that is intended mainly to secure performance under a lease of a dwelling. The landlord refunds it on or before the 30th day after the tenant surrenders the premises.