So a prospective tenant asked me a question after she filled out my application which by the way I did not charge an application fee for. It's a studio apartment and rent is $750 and security is $1000. The question... "Hey why is the deposit $1000? How would you respond? Obviously, she just sealed her fate. --32.213.xxx.xx

Consider contacting a landlords association where google to find one. Make sure the deposit is legal within the landlord and tenant act or rules. More then likely she does not the funds for security deposit. Some jurisdictions do allow a cleaning, damage deposit where first and last only so be sure. Sometimes it is a motivation issue. Maybe late for now but was a thorough credit check where sometimes can find a few different addresses over a period of a year or unpaid utilities which immediately disqualifies. So if it is legal then state the policy where will have decide if she really wants the rental unit. Some rental housing providers learn from the hard school of knocks instead checking everything out. Found belonging to a landlords association where the cost was small compared learning to what can happen. Had one said she was to take me human rights tribunal as it was discrimination. She had a unpaid cable and cell phone bill for around $750 each. Told her that really wanted rental unit would have to make arrangements with social assistance where did not want to do that as the renege later. She never called back or took me to human rights. Another applicant refused where told they could reapply once they fixed the negative credit reports where doubt that was going to happen where they owed thousands. Was absolutely not prepared to hand keys through the gates of hell where it is rent arrears along with a completely trashed out rental unit. Seen some move into town then trash out every rental unit is town then move on where the free rent game is a never ending story. --99.236.xxx.xxx

--75.7.xx.xx

Because the more skin you have in the game the better you will take care of the property. At least in theory. --65.188.xxx.xxx

" It's typical for a place of this caliber" --73.215.xxx.xx

"Thank you for taking the time to DQ yourself." --72.231.xxx.xx

I'd say that several of my past tenants or tenants of a friend did not bother to come back and clean up or haul away their junk because the deposit was so little they opted to leave a mess and forfeit their deposit. By charging enough, this gives a departing tenant the incentive to clean up after the tenancy is over. --47.155.xx.xxx

We use to get 1500.00 (double the rent as security). I spoke to the owners and thought in your case considering your employment and your credit that 1000.00 is more than enough in your case. --99.103.xxx.xxx

And we are happy to give a full refund when the property is returned in this same condition you see today. --174.202.xxx.xx

Was it tone of voice or asking after the application? I understand some questions sealing fate like a recent one I had: can I put the bunk beds down here (unfinished basement with sump pump and furnace. If other landlords don’t charge 1 1/2 times rent, that is a valid question. --75.67.xxx.xxx

Block the number and move on. If you're inclined to answer for some reason just rely on the canned response: "It's policy" or "it's what the owner requires". --165.225.xx.xx

That’s a fair question since most SD’s are equal to a months rent. Tell her that’s the standard for your business. She’ll say oh ok and leave it at that. Or she’ll say is that negotiable? And then I would start working her out the door. --24.152.xxx.xx

Includes filing eviction fee in case you come to that :) --50.229.xx.xxx

This explains things and makes them feel better because they are being chosen. --50.82.xxx.xxx

as a LL's and owner we haven't had the same SD as rent in over 8 years. Never less. Our base is 1500. minimum on any rent. --99.103.xxx.xxx

Use any of the good (friendly) explanations that were suggested. Then see what the response is. --68.229.xxx.xxx

Fair question. So back to you "Why is your security deposit $1000 and rent $750?” --172.58.xxx.xxx

However, demanding a different security deposit amount is a different story. You do not indicate that she did this. --98.122.xxx.xx

--98.237.xxx.xx

Are you asking me to raise the rent to $1,000? --24.101.xxx.xxx

When rent increases we have to collect more to cover the last month at that time as well so we’ve found doing it this way, not charging last month but a higher deposit which is potentially fully refundable works better for us and our tenants. Any more questions? --24.96.xx.xxx

Lisa from FL. A very well thought out response. I thank you. --172.58.xxx.xxx

--99.23.xxx.x

When there is a common price for something across a marketplace consumers begin to think of that as a "standard" and feel that a deviation either is not allowed or must be justified. --73.141.xxx.xxx

I am with Jim OC....security deposit and rent are always different amount, with security deposit being more than last month's rent. I too don't want the tenant to use the security deposit as the last months rent. I want them to clean the place up, so they can get some of the deposit back! --108.56.xxx.xx

The amount is based on the risk. Since the Government got involved with things like eviction moratoriums, I am in the process of raising deposits. In March it will go to $2000. --209.16.xx.xxx

The answer is that people tend to leave without paying the last month's rent so we like to have enough money to cover that loss and also a little to fix the damages that many people do to the rental during their tenancy. --108.24.xx.xx

I tell them you add up labor and materials for even basic repairs and they quickly understand. --24.115.xx.xxx

Well, the Penna. courts have since ruled that calling half of the deposit "last month's rent" does not change the nature of it, and it counts as security. --73.141.xxx.xxx

BRAD --73.102.xxx.xxx