India, Aug. 9 -- A Pune tenant's dispute over a security deposit has sparked a debate on Reddit over what landlords can legitimately deduct when a tenant moves out. The tenant alleged the landlord deducted Rs.28,499 for painting and touch-ups, cleaning, a Kent RO, a geyser pipe and a drawer after a year and a half of tenancy.

The tenant questioned several of the deductions, particularly the Rs.12,000 painting charge, Rs.4,000 cleaning fee and Rs.11,899 charged for the RO. According to the tenant, the RO had stopped working because its filter was no longer functional, while the apartment had not been deep-cleaned when the tenant moved in.

"He (the landlord) said since RO is not working (we bought new one because older one's filter is not...