Btw, if you paid the rent for the last month of the contract, strictly speaking you've served the term of the contract and your not leaving early.

Whether you actually live there the last 10 days is irrelevant as you've paid the rent meeting the terms of the contract.

Your landlord is just screwing you because he knows there is really nothing you can do if you leave Cambodia without collecting your deposit.

Isn't the bond suppose to cover any damages cleaning etc the tenant cause after the lease is up
if used for the last months rent tenants disappear leaving landlord nothing to cover the utility bills and cost of any damage
It's bond not rent

Never seen that KIWI. As mentioned above, the deposit isn't for your last month, it's for unpaid utilities and/or broken items. It's paid back after final inspection at the end of the final month. That's the whole point of a security deposit, otherwise you could have broken the fridge and TV and walk out on the last day. Landlord always keeps the deposit till you move out.

What recourse would the landlord have in case of damage to the property then? He can try it that way, but I guarantee the landlord won't accept. When I rented out units to foreigners here, I always kept a security deposit. It's literally a safeguard against 1-breach of contract/leaving early and 2-any damage or unpaid utility bills. That's exactly why it's called a "security deposit"...

I don't know where you found a landlord who took a one-sided deal like that. It might exist, but I've never seen that here, so I find it weird that we somehow have come across completely different standards over years and years. I know you're not lying, as again, it really depends on what the contract stipulated. IMO the landlord in this case is being a total dick, but I don't think much can be done about it. I would maybe try to get the local sangkat or cops involved if the deposit is significant enough. Might be able to bargain on your behalf and get some (not all) back. I think it's worth it as the guy isn't being very reasonable (albeit perhaps legally fine). Sangkat could help bargain/talk some common sense into his greedy ass.

The 'deposit' is used by any landlord to cover thefts, damages, a bit of repainting if required, in order to restore the condition of the property to that at the start of your tenancy, plus any outstanding utilities (which only will arrive after you are gone as they are a month in arrears).

So he is being perfectly reasonable.

On the last day of your tenancy, he will inspect the property and negotiate.

The utilities are out of his control, but you can show him you bills for during the stay and leave an agreed amount with him to cover this.

Some people do use their deposit as rent for the final month, if in the contract and the landlord can see his property is in an acceptable state and the utilities are proven paid.

Utilities can be hard to reconnect if someone previous has left a debt

He is unlikely to give you early termination so close to the end of the actual contract.

During the last month he will also request that you give reasonable access to prospective tenants.

If you are worried he will not give you your deposit after you have gone, then you have to have a trusted friend to collect on your behalf.

Just out of curiosity, how much money are we talking about?

Unfortunately, I signed a contract which won't allow me to terminate the contract without losing the deposit.



I recommend you avoid this apartment.
Name is Soho residence in BKK2