When renting, the deposit amount, refund timing, and grounds for deduction must be written into the contract

How much the deposit is, when it is returned, and when it may be deducted must go into the contract before you sign. Deduction grounds not written in the contract cannot be used to withhold your deposit when you move out.

Cost

No monetary cost. Spend an extra ten minutes when signing the contract. The hard part is raising it in front of the landlord.

Benefit

Administrative regulations state clearly: “Where the lessor collects a deposit, the amount, time of return, and circumstances in which the deposit may be deducted shall be stipulated in the housing lease contract. Except as provided in the contract, the lessor shall not deduct the deposit without proper cause.” Three things must appear in the contract: how much is collected, when it is returned, and when deduction is allowed. Grounds not in the contract cannot be used to take your money.

Notes

On move-out day, take photos and video together with the landlord. Record water, electricity, and gas meter readings, and photograph walls and floors. If the deposit is withheld without cause, complain first to the housing lease administration (房屋租赁管理部门). For smaller amounts, use small-claims litigation; see Section 8. For a shopfront rented to open a store, and whether catering can get permits, see Section 12, item 27 (renting a shopfront to open a store).

Sources · 1

1. 国务院 (2025). 住房租赁条例（国令第 812 号，2025 年 9 月 15 日施行）（第十条）. gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202507/content_70329…