Security deposit for rental property: What are your rights?

Questioner

How much deposit may a landlord ask for when entering into a lease agreement for a rental property in the private sector? Is there a maximum? (When we entered into our rental agreement, a deposit of 4 months' rent was required. The landlord indicated that we could claim reimbursement of the deposit after a year, provided that we could provide a permanent contract or an employer's statement. Now, a year later, one of us has a permanent contract, the other has been able to provide an employer's statement, but our claim for reimbursement has been rejected because both must have a permanent contract according to the landlord.)

Lawyer

The problem for you is that there is no legal maximum for a security deposit. This must be reasonable and it follows from case law that a security deposit of 3 months' rent is still reasonable. Are the agreements on the repayment after a year recorded? If so, then you have a strong case. If not, then you run the risk that the landlord will deny this and then you must prove that this was agreed.