PG Security Deposit, Notice Period and Refunds: What to Know

Most PGs ask for a PG security deposit before you move in, and most disagreements happen when it is time to get it back. You can avoid nearly all of them by getting the amount, the notice period and the refund terms in writing on day one, photographing the room when you arrive, and following a clear exit checklist when you leave.

What a PG usually asks for at the start

Every owner sets their own terms, so amounts vary from house to house and city to city. Before you move in, you are usually asked for some mix of:

• a refundable security deposit
• the first rent, paid in advance
• sometimes a one-time charge, for example for maintenance, cleaning or a lock and key
• an ID proof and, in some houses, proof of college or work

For each payment, ask one simple question: is this refundable, and if not, what is it for? On LSC, each bed shows its own rent and deposit, so you can compare the real cost of moving in before you even call.

Ask before you visit: “Is the deposit fully refundable, and what can be deducted from it?” The answer tells you a lot about the house.

Get your PG security deposit terms in writing

A short agreement is best. If the owner does not use one, a clear WhatsApp message that the owner replies to is far better than a spoken promise. Make sure it covers:

• the rent, the due date and what it includes: food, electricity, Wi-Fi, cleaning, laundry
• the deposit amount, and that it is refundable
• the notice period, and how notice should be given
• what can be deducted, such as unpaid rent, unpaid bills, lost keys or damage beyond normal wear
• how the refund will be paid, and how soon after you leave
• what happens if you leave before the notice period ends
• a receipt for every payment you make

Our PG rent agreement checklist goes through a full agreement line by line.

How the notice period works in practice

The notice period is the time between telling the owner you are leaving and your last day. Before you give notice, ask:

• from which day the notice counts: the day you tell the owner, or the start of the next rent cycle
• whether you pay rent for the whole notice period even if you leave earlier
• whether the deposit can be adjusted against your last rent. Some owners allow this and some do not, so agree it in writing rather than assume.
• whether the owner can ask you to leave, and how much notice you would get

Inventory photos at move-in

This one habit settles most deposit disputes before they start.

1. Before you unpack, take a slow video of the room, the washroom and any balcony.
2. Photograph existing damage up close: wall marks, cracked tiles, stained mattresses, broken switches, loose cupboard doors.
3. Write a short list of what is in the room: bed, mattress, cupboard, desk, chair, fan, lights, curtains, keys and any remote.
4. Note the electricity meter reading if power is billed separately.
5. Send the photos and the list to the owner the same day, and ask them to reply to confirm.
6. Keep copies in your phone’s cloud backup, not only in the chat.

Avoiding disputes while you live there

• Pay rent on time, by bank transfer or UPI, so every payment leaves a record.
• Report damage as soon as it happens, in writing, even if it was not your doing.
• Ask before drilling, painting, sticking posters or moving heavy furniture.
• In a shared room, agree which bed, cupboard and shelf are yours, so any damage is not split unfairly.
• Keep the room reasonably clean, especially near the washroom and windows, where damp marks show first.

The exit checklist

When you decide to leave, work through this list:

1. Give notice in writing as agreed, and keep the owner’s reply.
2. Confirm your last day, your final dues and the refund date in one message.
3. Clear pending bills: electricity, laundry and any extra meals.
4. Clean the room and remove hooks, tape, posters and decorations.
5. Ask for a room check with the owner or caretaker before you leave, and compare the room with your move-in photos.
6. Return every key and remote, and get a message confirming it.
7. Take an exit video of the empty room.
8. Share your bank or UPI details for the refund in writing.
9. If anything is deducted, ask for an item-by-item list.

If the refund is late or short

Stay calm, polite and in writing. Send your move-in photos next to your exit video, ask for a breakdown of any deduction, and suggest a clear date for the refund. Many disagreements end here, because the record speaks for itself. If it still does not move, ask your local authority for advice on what you can do next.

How to find a PG with clear terms on LSC

Open the PG search page and choose your city, such as Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad or Lucknow. Compare the rent and deposit shown for each bed, then tap Call or WhatsApp to ask the owner about notice and refunds before you visit. Searching and contacting PG owners on LSC is free, and LSC takes no brokerage on PGs, so the only money you hand over is what you agree with the owner.

Cover photo: “Door key for lock type BKS Janus on keyring” by Pittigrilli, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons.