It's your money, and you're looking forward to getting it back. Since a security deposit usually represents at least one month's rent, a handsome sum is probably headed your way – probably.

Managers of Chico rental properties sometimes withhold a portion of a resident's security deposit, as they are entitled to do under certain circumstances. Sometimes they withhold the entire amount, as they also are entitled to do.

Before you get furious and confront your property manager, review the nine most common reasons managers say they take this step and ensure that your conscience – and your former apartment – are in the clear.

1. Misunderstood The Terms of The Lease

A resident misunderstands the terms of the lease, especially the provision that addresses damages that exceed “ordinary and reasonable wear and tear.”

2. Caused Damages

A resident caused damages that exceed “ordinary reasonable wear and tear.” In this case, the property manager still must explain the nature of the repairs and document (with receipts) the costs.

3. Inaccurately Charged for Damage Before You Moved In

A resident is being inaccurately charged to pay for repairs to problems that existed before he or she moved in. If you took pictures or videos of your apartment, it should be simple to straighten out this misunderstanding. Otherwise, you might be hard-pressed to prove your case.

4. Modified The Apartment Without Approval

A resident modified an apartment without the property manager's consent or failed to return the apartment to its original state. Refer to reason No. 1; your lease should address modifications such as painting, hanging shelves and light fixtures and even installing a satellite dish. If a property manager has to so much as repair a small hole in the wall, it will eat a hole in your security deposit, too.

5. Failed Reasonable Effort to Clean Apartment

A resident failed to make a reasonable effort to clean the apartment after moving out or the apartment requires an extra effort to clean. With any luck, a property manager will call the resident first and offer a second chance to clean the apartment before withholding part of the security deposit to pay for it.

6. Made Unauthorized Repairs 

A resident made unauthorized repairs, including a well-intentioned effort to fix a problem. This is why most property managers of Chico rental properties require notification of a plumbing, electrical or structural problems; it puts them on notice to fix it – and to stay on top of a job that goes awry. In this way, a resident is free of any and all liability.

7. Left Belongings Behind

A resident left belongings behind – either in the apartment or a storage unit – and the property manager must pay to dispose of them. (Of course, friendly property managers of Chico rental properties will get in touch with you -- as long as you haven't changed your phone number or email address -- to ask that you claim your things before resorting to this step).

8. Failed to Provide Proper Move-Out Notice

A resident failed to provide the proper move-out notice. (Reason No. 1 strikes again.) As hard as it may be to believe, some residents move out without giving a property manager any notification at all – and thereby lose an entire month's security deposit for the rent he or she was obligated to pay.

9. Failed to Return Keys

By now, you've come to realize that either you or your property manager has made what is hopefully an honest mistake or oversight with regard to your security deposit. Rational people can usually find a way to mediate their differences -- or they wind up in small claims court.

Choose not to be caught by surprise next time by educating yourself about security deposits. Begin by reading two previous articles, “Learn the Basics of Deposits for Chico Apartments” and “How to Avoid Disputes Over Chico Apartment Security Deposits” – because it's your hard-earned money, and of course you want to get it back.