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How to Split a Security Deposit Between Roommates
The security deposit is often the biggest sum roommates share, and it's usually returned months or years later, after people's memories have faded. Settle these rules when you move in.
Moving in: who pays what
Most households split the deposit the same way as the rent. If rent is split by room size, the person in the biggest room puts in the biggest share of the deposit too. Write down who paid what. A screenshot of each transfer is enough.
Moving out: three kinds of deductions
- Shared deductions: general cleaning, common-area wear, an unpaid shared bill. Split these in proportion to what each person paid in, or equally.
- Individual damage: a hole in someone's bedroom wall, or a pet stain from one roommate's dog. Only the person responsible pays.
- Normal wear and tear: in many places, landlords can't charge for this at all. Check your local tenancy rules.
When someone moves out mid-lease
Landlords usually keep the deposit until the whole lease ends. The usual fix is for the incoming roommate to pay the outgoing roommate their share of the deposit directly. Do a quick photo walkthrough of the leaving person's room first so you can agree on its condition.
Who gets the check?
The landlord typically pays the person or people named on the lease. Agree in writing that they'll pass on everyone's share within a few days of receiving it.
Calculate each roommate's refund
FAQ
Should damage come out of everyone's share?
Only if no one knows who caused it, or it happened in a shared area. Otherwise, the responsible roommate pays.
Can a landlord deduct for normal wear and tear?
In many US states and other countries, no. Normal wear like faded paint or light carpet wear isn't deductible. Check your local rules.
Free calculators
- Roommate bill split calculator
Split rent and recurring bills equally, by income, room size or percentage. - Rent split by room size & features
Weight rent by square footage, private bathrooms, closets and other perks. - Prorated utilities calculator
Split a bill fairly when someone moves in or out mid-month. - Trip & group expense splitter
Track who paid what and settle up with the fewest payments. - Couples split by income
Split shared costs 50/50 or proportional to income and compare. - Security deposit split
Share a deposit refund after shared deductions and individual damage. - Subscription & streaming splitter
Split Netflix, Spotify and yearly memberships between the people who use them.