1. Write down what each person paid in
People often join a lease at different times, so one roommate may have paid more of the deposit than another. Start from what each person actually put in, not an even split.
Free calculator
Security deposit split calculator for roommates
Got the deposit back and need to split it? Enter what each roommate paid in, the shared deductions and any damage that was one person's, and see what everyone gets back.
Security deposit split calculator
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RoommatePaid toward depositDamage that was theirs
Paid in 1950.00; shared deductions 50.00 each; own damage 100.00.
- Alexgets 650.00
- Samgets 550.00
- Jogets 500.00
How to split a security deposit fairly, step by step
2. Get the itemised deductions
Ask the landlord for a list of what was taken off and why. Sort each line into shared (end-of-tenancy cleaning, kitchen, hallway, unpaid shared bills) or one person's (a stain in one bedroom, a broken door someone admits to).
3. Split shared deductions evenly
Everyone used the kitchen and living room, so shared deductions are usually split equally between everyone on the lease, whatever they paid in.
4. Charge personal damage to that person
Damage inside one bedroom, or damage someone caused, comes out of that person's share only. Agree this before the refund arrives, while everyone is still talking.
5. Pay each person their figure and keep a record
Whoever received the refund sends everyone their amount. If someone ends up owing money, settle it the same week and note who paid what so nothing is left hanging after the move.
Moving out mid-month? Work out the last partial month with the prorated rent calculator and go through the roommate move-out checklist. Starting a new place? The free roommate bill agreement template puts the deposit rules in writing.
Questions
How do you split a security deposit between roommates?
Start with what each person paid toward the deposit. Subtract an equal share of shared deductions such as cleaning, then subtract any damage that was one person's alone from that person. What is left is each person's refund.
What if roommates paid different amounts toward the deposit?
Refund each person in line with what they paid in. The calculator above starts from each person's own contribution, so a roommate who paid more gets more back.
Who pays for damage in one roommate's bedroom?
Usually the person whose room it is, unless the damage was there when they moved in. Taking dated photos at move-in and move-out avoids most of these arguments.
What if the refund doesn't match the deductions?
Ask the landlord for an itemised list first. If the gap is still unexplained, the calculator shares it in proportion to what each person paid in, which is the most neutral default.
What happens to the deposit when one roommate moves out early?
The landlord normally keeps the whole deposit until the lease ends. The usual fix is for the incoming roommate to pay the leaving roommate their share directly. Record it so the final split at the end of the lease is clear.
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