16/09/2026
Your rental deposit is NOT automatically the landlord's money if something's damaged.
This is one of the most common tenancy disputes in Malaysia, and both landlords and tenants get it wrong constantly.
What the tenancy agreement actually governs:
✅ Deposits can only be deducted for damage beyond fair wear and tear, not normal usage over time
✅ The landlord should be able to show evidence (photos, quotes, receipts) for any deduction
✅ A proper move-in inventory list is your best protection either way landlord or tenant.
Without an inventory checklist at handover, disputes become "he said, she said" and that benefits nobody.
Landlords: document condition at handover.
Tenants: take your own photos on move-in day, timestamped.
This one habit prevents 90% of deposit arguments I've seen.