The deposit is not your money until you show why. Return it within 14 days of move out, with a written list of deductions: item, reason and cost. Fair wear and tear cannot be deducted, damage can. Without move in and move out photos, your deductions are hard to defend.

What can you deduct, and what not?

You can: holes in walls, a cracked sink, lost keys, a place left dirty enough to need special cleaning, unpaid rent or utilities. You cannot: faded paint, floors that lost their shine, a tired fridge gasket, furniture marks on carpet. That is fair wear, and it is a cost of ownership, not the tenant's fault.

How long do you have to return it?

Fourteen days is reasonable practice when your agreement is silent. Holding a deposit without explanation, even when you have good reason, turns a dispute about RM 200 into a dispute about your honesty.

How should you write the deduction list?

One line per item, never a single lump sum.
Each line: what was damaged, the real cost, and the receipt or quote.
Attach the move in and move out photo for that item.
Show the arithmetic: deposit, less each item, balance returned.

What if the tenant disagrees?

Malaysia has no Residential Tenancy Act yet, so your tenancy agreement is the primary reference and claims run through the civil courts. For small amounts, most disputes end once you calmly show the photos and receipts. For formal action, consult a qualified lawyer. This guide is not legal advice.

What UrusPro does for you

The tenant ledger shows unpaid rent and bills, so your total is right.
Every payment carries its date, so there is no argument about what was paid.
Inspection records and photos live with the house, not in your phone.

One expensive mistake

Giving one total with no breakdown. It reads as a number you invented, and the tenant will dispute all of it, including the part where you were right.