It makes since to require a fee in this instance because you are essentially taking on a higher risk.

What happens though if you later discover an issue that would have been covered by the SD, but you have already returned it?

How much would the fee be?

Would it be a percentage of the SD amount?

plenty,

I copied mine from SID’s post here.

“Deposit return can be expedited for a $50 fee.”

No mention of time just the word EXPEDITED.

Please very VERY careful before returning too soon. Check for unpaid utils that can become a lien on your property.

AND look behind every Justin Bieber poster used to cover holes!

The word got around, I accepted a first time renter. She was a minority Student with a limited work history. After 1 year and 8 months living in my apartment building, she graduated a masters program and got a teaching job at the local City College. An apartment a block from campus was offered to her, but she needed her security deposit to complete payment of her move-in fee's. She asked me, "When can I get my Deposit Back"?

I said that she was a model tenant, always paying her rent on time and never causing me any problems. I agreed to meet her the next day for her move-out inspection and discuss how soon I could refund the deposit.

The next day she was on time for our appointment. She had a friend with her, but the friend stayed at the entry of the building, giving us some privacy.

I inspected the unit. She had vacuumed the carpeting, cleaned all surfaces and window. There we nothing left in the unit to dispose of. The refrigerator was cleaned. The oven had a few spots, nothing that a treatment of easy-off couldn't tackle.

So I had to in from her that as far has her deposit, I will be giving her all of her deposit back, then handed her a check, drawn on a local bank, three blocks away.

She began to cry. Everyone said she would be luck to get half of her deposit back within the 18 day period. She ended up getting 100% back, the day of inspection.

Within days the work got around that I was a fair landlord and cared about my tenants problems, even when they were moving out. I was asked why did I give her back all of her money back quickly? I said she was a wonderful tenant and this is my way of showing I appreciated her tenancy.

After this I never had any trouble renting out an apartment in this building. A "C" location.

Giving a tenant back their money didn't cost me anything and helped her out. I see no reason why not doing this...

Plenty - I have returned deposits right away myself - one was a military family that I KNEW would leave the place spotless and undamaged from the recommendations from their prior two landlords as well as my own observations. They were driving from PA to AL overnight with three girls under 6. I gave them their check and a large bag of healthy snacks and juice boxes for the trip.

End of Residency Release

I ____________________ release any and all claims against both the personal and real property located at 5474 Autumnwood Drive. I further waive all rights under ACT 129 providing the landlord releases me from all responsibilities under landlord tenant law using a wear and tear credit outlined by the landlord. All credit will go towards any possible damages so that I get all my deposit back as quickly as possible. In order to get the deposit back within the first 48 hours, I authorize a $150 charge on the account.

Thank you plenty.

...AND look behind every Justin Bieber poster used to cover holes!...

From our lease:

Security Deposit Accounting Options

Standard: Your security deposit minus any deductions with a full accounting will be mailed to the forwarding address you supply within 30 days per Texas State law. No charge for this 30-day service.

Or

Express: If you are eligible, we also offer our express option. Your security deposit minus any deductions with a full accounting will be mailed to the forwarding address you supply within 7 days. The $100.00 charge for this option is taken out of the security deposit.

Since we do complimentary home maintenance visits each June and December, we would have recently been in their home to notice any problems. However, moving forward I think part of the "eligibly" criteria will be a recent (two weeks prior to move out) in home visit.

Other eligibility criteria include the written records the previous home visits. If there were many tenant problems including poor housekeeping or even a few problems which were expensive that needed to be addressed, they are ineligible for express return.

We had 1 Resident decline the express than request the express. Much later, we found she had broken a ceiling fan blade and glued it back together.

Fleas turn up much later than we would have expected.

Moving forward, we may adjust the 7 day time period to 10 days as it is nearly impossible to get anyone to come out for a quote in 7 days.