Sharon moved out from her apartment, ignoring a forwarding address; regarding the security deposit, which statement is true if the landlord finds damages but did not send notice or details?

• A. The landlord must always return the full deposit.
• B. The landlord may deduct any amount without notice.
• C. The landlord may use a portion or all of the deposit.
• D. The landlord cannot make any deductions.

Answer: (C)

Understanding how security deposits work helps here: the deposit is meant to cover damages beyond ordinary wear and tear or unpaid amounts, not just to be returned in full regardless of condition. When the tenancy ends and damages are found, the landlord can apply the security deposit toward those damages, up to the total amount of the deposit. If any portion is kept, the landlord is generally required to provide an itemized list of the damages and the costs, but the fundamental point is that the deposit may be used to cover those costs. In this scenario, since damages were found, it is appropriate that part or all of the security deposit could be applied to address those damages.