Reddit Post Sparks Debate As Tenant Alleges Landlord Unfairly Deducted ₹31,000 From Security Deposit

A tenant’s post on Reddit has triggered a widespread discussion online after he alleged that his landlord unfairly withheld a significant portion of his security deposit upon vacating the property.

The tenant, who had lived in the rented home for two years, expressed shock after learning the landlord had deducted ₹31,000 from his ₹44,000 deposit. The landlord claimed that the occupants had “ruined” the property, a claim the tenant disputes, noting that the only change was the natural dulling of paint over time.

The post, titled, “Landlord is deducting almost all of the deposite, What are my options? Please help,” detailed the situation:

“Long story short, Landlord has sold his house and he is now deducting 31k out of 44k deposite we have given saying you have ruined our place, damaged it. Which is not true. Obviously color gets dull over time. We are living here since 2 years. What are our options?”

Landlord is deducting almost all of the deposite, What are my options? Please help
byu/deadandded inLegalAdviceIndia

Reddit Users Advise Formal and Legal Recourse

The thread quickly drew responses from users offering advice, ranging from police intervention to formal legal steps.

• Demand for Bills: Several users emphasized that the landlord must provide concrete evidence for the deductions. One commenter advised, “Ask for repair bills of the amount you did not get back from your deposit. Have those bills cross verified and file an FIR for fraud if the landlord gives fake bills.”
• The Landlord’s Responsibility: Another user highlighted that selling the house does not absolve the landlord of responsibility: “If he has sold the house he still has to settle your deposit fairly because the agreement was between you and him.”
• Police Intervention: A user suggested that a simple intervention could resolve the dispute: “Go do a police complaint at the local station. One phone call or visit from police will set him straight.”

Detailed Legal Advice

A user identifying themselves as a lawyer provided a detailed, actionable plan for the tenant:

1. Request Documentation: The tenant should request a detailed, itemized bill of damages with supporting receipts or estimates, as tenants are only liable for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
2. Formal Demand: Send a formal demand, via email or a legal notice, disputing the deductions and requesting the full refund within a reasonable time frame.
3. Maintain Records: Keep thorough documentation, such as photographs or videos of the property at the time of vacating, to support the claim.
4. Escalation: If the landlord refuses to refund the deposit, the matter can be escalated to a civil court.

The general consensus among those offering advice was to perform all communication through message or email to create a clear record, noting that a legal notice is often enough to persuade landlords to return funds, especially after selling the property.