Using Security Deposit to Pay Rent

During the tenancy, you can ask a landlord to use the security deposit as rent, but it is up to the landlord as to whether he is agreeable to the request. If the landlord agrees to use the security deposit as rent, there is a risk that there will not be a fund to cover any damages when the tenancy is over. A landlord may then be in the position of having to request extra money from you or having to sue you to pay for the damages.

May 2005