Fees · turnover
Move-in and move-out fees are not the deposit
Searchers often mix three different buckets. Mixing them on one spreadsheet row is how disputes start.
- Security deposit
- Held for damages and lawful withholds · return or itemize on the statute clock
- Move-in / move-out fee
- Non-refundable service or admin charge if disclosed in the lease · not a substitute for itemization
- Documentation fee
- Some operators pass through packet cost like screening · counsel on disclosure first
Operator habits that reduce pain
- Label ledger lines so tenants see which charge is which.
- Run deposit math only in Deposit Desk step 4 · fees live in lease or welcome letter copy.
- Chicago and other cities may cap or regulate certain fees · confirm locally.
Related: pass-through documentation fee · tax bucket for tools and fees · one-line cleaning on deposit return.
Not legal advice.