When this guide is useful
A landlord holds tenant deposits and sometimes applies them to damage or unpaid rent.
The distinction that matters
Separate refundable funds from amounts later retained or applied. The lease terms and actual disposition matter more than the bank account label.
A worked situation to investigate
A landlord collects a deposit, returns most of it at move-out and keeps the remainder for an itemized damage charge.
The example is illustrative. Begin with the underlying event and its source documents, then separate missing facts from disagreements about their treatment. Work through the checks below in the order that matches your file, rather than treating a completed checklist as a tax conclusion.
Build a traceable handoff
Identify the affected person, entity or property and the relevant period. Keep original evidence, corrections and the reviewer's written conclusion connected. If the facts change after review, preserve the earlier version and ask whether the change affects implementation.