Requested for my landlord to use my 2 months security deposit for my final 2 months rent but he rejected, even though I said he can come to inspect the property which I've maintained in good condition.

I'm not happy with this as there is no reason for him to withhold my deposit as I've been a good tenant throughout my tenancy - after reading stories of how the landlord treat their tenants here, I'm kinda worried that he might not want to return my deposit / return after deducting various unreasonable repair/cleaning costs (he's quite the fussy kind).

Should I just not pay for the last 2 months rent anyway? There's also a 0.5 month utilities rent so if I dont pay rent, he might not return that amount too.

What should I do? It seems that being a good tenant is really pointless.... no thanks to all these greedy fussy landlords.

Update: Contract ended, house cleaned and keys returned. As expected, landlord did not want to refund my deposit. What should I do now?

This post has been edited by ayamback: Apr 6 2018, 09:20 AM

continue to be a good tenant and continue to pay the last 2 months rent. Bad tenants may contribute to why he became fussy.

if it is already stated on your tenancy agreement, then honour it

Yup, that's what I'll do and hope for the best.

Well, if a landlord doesnt know how to appreciate a good tenant and making life difficult for them, I hope they dont complain when they get a bad tenant.

salut

all these should be stated in the agreement. usually it's stated will be returned at the end of tenure. reason being sometimes tenant dun wanna leave etc

Isn't it that's the right way for landlord? The deposit is not meant to offset the rent unless something go bad

Just continue to pay the collect back the deposit when moving out

that's normal. it should be agreed by both parties before tenancy.

2 methods:

a) use deposit to pay last 2 months' rental. not favorable to landlord in case shit happens to the property, e.g. need cleaning, repair, etc.

b) continue to pay yourself the last 2 months' rental. after landlord satisfied, he/she should pay back the deposit.

being a good tenant before leaving, there shouldnt be issue for landlord to refund the deposits (2.5 mths)

Well, the biggest problem is... i have 2.5 months rent as deposit on hold by the landlord and I need a new place to stay, so I need to pay another 2.5 months rent for my new place.

Quite a lot money to fork up but nevermind... all I can do now is just hope my landlord pay back my deposit in full as soon as possible.

By law, you'll need to pay up to the last month. Unless owner allow you to do so.

You can't do anything at this stage, just serve the contract.

Share info. Under tenancy law that's the way to go. Doesn't matter if its in Malaysia or overseas. It is devised that way to be at the middle ground where both landlord and tenants are protected on equal grounds. Landlords hold the deposit to cover for any unforseen damages in either unpaid rent/bills/damages goods. Have seen cases whereby the tenant was good all the while and then the landlord agrees to offset the deposits as rentals then the tenant starts to trash the place, missing furniture when move out, swapped electrical appliances, etc... Amazed with all the tricks.

Put yourself in the landlord's shoe. Most probably you will be a landlord yourself in the future. You will sure want to protect yourself right?

I dont think OP understands the tenant landlord relationship.

Im both a landlord (2nd year just renewed, yay!) and a tenant (4th year) fyi.

Being a good tenant means paying your rent on time and taking care of the property like its yours. I believe its in your contract and understood as expected normal behavior.

Now it's totally ok to ask for what you wanted, you are asking them to waive the security deposit to pay for rent, based on your good maintenance of the place and offer them to inspect.
But remember, the right to waive it is theirs unless you had it written in the contract.

Along with that, you said there is no good reason, well this forums has many landlords with interesting tales of tenants. You cannot be sure you won't spill a bottle of ink on their ikea rm2500 couch, or some visitors kid wont somehow break the glass table/sliding door or an ahlong for your spouse father come and break your door down and pour red paint inside everywhere. (is that still common?)
As a landlord there is no reason to waive it, and chances are, they wont. Id consider 1 month at most.

They cannot use 0.5 utilities deposit for rent holding. Pls reread your contract (or you were conned abit if they can, ask agent)

Now you come to the main point, said landlord is fussy and u worry there will be unreasonable repair/cleaning costs. But you said its in good condition, and ur a good tenant. If that is so, don't worry. But if ur worried, Id hazard a guess that there is a reason...

Lastly, being a good tenant does pay off, for me at least.
My first landlord came on the 3rd month to kepo the unit. Then 9th. Then never again. I rented for 24 months. Peace and absence from the landlord is really nice, I'm sure many tenants can tell you.
On my second place, the landlord approved a 10 month renewal (instead of 12 mths) at a slightly lower monthly price (dah la lose agent fees) because its all no problem from me. Also didn't kepo the unit past the 6th month.
(protip: get a cleaning company to clean the **** out of everything and spit/polish/shine everything b4 they come)

It may seem small, but if you are in a position of very kacau landlords or need an uncommon rent schedule, its a blessing. Trust me on this.

Lastly, if you felt the landlord was greedy, you should not have signed the contract at that t&c. Hope ur handover goes well, fussy landlords can be troublesome. Id contact your agent to do a pre inspection inspection so u will know what may be a problem at handover. Try n fix it. Take ur agent out to lunch then.

I do not think you have other choices if the land lord insist on what is written black and white, as you are well aware of all these when you sign the agreement.
Negotiation with the land lord nicely, maybe he or she can give way a bit. Try request for off set last month rental and at the same time show all the proof as needed to ease him/her by photographs or whateverother other suitable means.

This post has been edited by enriquelee: Feb 5 2018, 12:00 PM

If the landlord is efficient, you miss your this month's payment, by end of the month you are evicted already. That time you lose all your deposit plus more.

Don't sign if you don't agree. Sign already then follow. If don't follow then get the consequences. No matter landlord or tenant

What if landlord does not pay back 2 month deposit?what can tenant do? Does deposit after sign agreement or b4? My agent ask for deposit 1st.im scared that i got scam.

1. If you are worried landlord does not pay back 2 months' deposit, then you can never rent a place. Most landlords will refund the deposits unless the tenant damaged the place or with outstanding utilities payment. I wont deny that a few landlords will withold or refuse to refund the deposits without reasons but the only recourse is through legal way.

2. Deposits are paid during the signing of the TA.

3. NEVER pass the deposits in cash to RENs. Use the bank cash deposit machines to deposit to office account so that the office can forward to the landlord. Alternatively, do online transfer. Both methods will have records of payment.

4. Checked the agency and REN are registered with LPPEH before any transaction, otherwise .... you transact at own risk.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Mar 24 2018, 05:10 PM

Update: Contract ended, house cleaned and keys returned. As expected, landlord did not want to refund my deposit. What should I do now?

Being a good tenant in Malaysia does not pay off. This is a very expensive lesson for me. Should've insisted not to pay the last 2 months rent or not returning the keys until my deposit is refunded to me.

This post has been edited by ayamback: Apr 6 2018, 09:23 AM

Try to be a bit creative:

Dear ex-landlord,

FYI, I have taken a loan with a local ah long using your house address. If I am unable to get the money back from the house deposit, I will be unable to repay them back. Thankfully I am no longer at that address, but what will happen to the house if they don't get the money is anyone's guess.

It's a condo unit with high security, what can the ah long do? Also, as if the landlord will believe such story.