General legal information, not advice for a specific case. Check current law and the facts of your situation before acting.
A rental deposit dispute often turns on what the room looked like at move-in and move-out. I’m Attorney Nok, and I suggest photographing the walls, floors, appliances, and utility meters on both days. Keep the lease, receipts, and handover messages too.
Suppose you return the keys as agreed, but the landlord says the entire deposit will be kept because of a wall mark. Ask in writing where the damage is, how much each deduction costs, and what evidence supports it. Compare their photographs with yours from move-in; avoid relying on a phone conversation alone.
If discussions fail, review the lease and handover record and ask the OCPB about complaint options. Rules governing certain residential rental businesses do not automatically apply to every landlord or lease, so the particular arrangement matters.