Practical guide · Souha Legal
Start with the lease and payment records
Gather the full lease, annexes and any amendments. Identify rent, the deposit and other payments separately. Organise transfer records, receipts and rent acknowledgements. Do not assume that every amount paid is part of the security deposit.
Document the condition of the property
Collect any existing check-in and check-out records, available dated photographs, correspondence about repairs and invoices. Note when each item was created. Isolated photographs or incomplete messages may leave questions about the property’s original condition or the cause of damage.
Set out the departure and handover timeline
Record separately when notice of departure was communicated, when the property was vacated and when keys were handed over. Keep correspondence, delivery acknowledgements and any formal records. If key handover is disputed or still needs to be arranged, explain this to the firm before choosing a course of action.
Separate the amounts in dispute
List amounts paid, refunds already received and deductions proposed, alongside the documents supporting each figure. Assessment depends on the contract, facts and evidence. This guide does not establish an automatic refund or a deadline applying to every tenancy.
This guide helps you prepare for a discussion with the firm. It does not determine the parties’ rights or the deadlines applicable to a particular matter.