[opendoor]

Originally Posted by photon

If the landlord deducts from the security deposit for rent, which is normally allowed, can that still take place if there isn't a walkthrough?

Say tenant pays deposit, signs agreement, gets keys, moves a few things in on the 1st, changes their mind and moves stuff out and leaves key, doesn't want to rent and wants security deposit back. No walkthrough was done, but they got possession but then walked away.

If they still get their full deposit back, that sucks, I'd have to change my process to include first month's rent as well, which sometimes is annoying if someone is renting for a few months in advance.

Or would just having wording around the deposit and under what situations it is refundable before possession be sufficient?

The absence of a move-in report only eliminates the landlord's ability to deduct for damage and cleaning. It doesn't affect your ability to keep some or all of the deposit to cover for unpaid rent.