1) have you taken photographs of the house at the time of taking house on rent ? The said photographs of the various rooms of the house should be signed by both the parties . It should bear the date of taking possession of the hous

2) agreement should mention condition of the house at the time premises were given on rent as is evident from the photographs enclosed to the agreement

3) on expiryof your leave and licence agreement take your security deposit before you hand over the keys and deliver vacant possession of the house

4) in the event flat owner complains about the shoddy condition of the house photographs taken at time of taking premises on rent would bear testimony that no damage has been caused by you

1) if landlord refuses to return security deposit you can file summary suit under order Xxxvii of CPC for recovery of security deposit with interest

2) during tenure of the agreement landlord can use the security deposit . He only had to return deposit on expiry of agreement

1. Once you enter into an agreement your rights flow out of the agreement alone. So if the agreement places an embargo on your right to put up curtains or nail the walls the default in compliance with this condition will make you liable for forfeiture of security deposit.

2. It is better to vacate such property in accordance with the agreement and look for a new one.

If the landlord does not return the advantage money then you can file criminal case of cheating/criminal breach of trust.

Alternatively you can file civil suit for recovery of money.

Since you have stated that you already possess the photographs of the condition of the house before entering into rental agreement, this will be an evidence in the litigation if at all the landlord prefers to do one against you or you may choose to go to court for the rental dispute.

If the landlord denies or withholds a par of the security deposit without justifiable reason, you may initiate proper legal action against him seeking recovery with interest for the withheld amount.

I read online that in some countried there is a law that landlord cannot earn interesr on deposit and if any interest is earned, it should be handed over to the tenant. Is there any such law in Maharastra /India? Can this point be contested if any issue occurs at the end of tenure. Would you suggest that we clarifying this point before hand?

There is no such provision in Indian laws hence do not break your head on the non-existent things.