When will I get my security deposit back?
Leases commonly provide for refund without interest after expiry, subject to the tenant having complied with its obligations, which includes reinstatement and payment of outstanding charges. The landlord may deduct the cost of incomplete or defective reinstatement. A clean joint inspection sign-off, a complete document pack and settled utility accounts shorten the process.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Office Reinstatement in Singapore: The Complete Guide to Commercial Handback. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Office reinstatement is the work a tenant must do before handing premises back: removing its fit-out and restoring the unit to the condition the lease and the landlord's reinstatement guidelines require, often bare shell or original handover condition. It usually involves demolition, ceiling and M&E reinstatement, fire-protection reinstatement by a QP, a joint inspection and deposit settlement, all before the lease expiry date.
More questions on this topic
- What does 'reinstate to original condition' mean in a Singapore office lease?
- How long does office reinstatement take in Singapore?
- Can I use any contractor for reinstatement, or must I use the landlord's contractor?
- Do reinstatement works need SCDF or BCA approval?
- What happens if reinstatement is not finished by the lease expiry date?
- Can I negotiate cash in lieu of reinstatement?
- Can I leave my fit-out for the incoming tenant?