Sure Deposit IS A COLLECTION AGENCY! When I moved out appartment complex Would NOT give me a final bill. It goes right to Sure Deposit to collect They start calling and harassing right away EVEN BEFORE I got the bill from them.Ill never use them again.

The sure deposit is a waste of money if you have good credit and can qualify for a decent security deposit on your own.

Sure deposit is basically an insurance to the owner (apartment complex) that they will get their money for any problems or outstanding charges after a tenant moves out. It does not mean you as a tenant will not have to pay for those charges, It means that the suredeposit company will pay the charges to the apartment complex, and then they will bill the tenant for it.

It is usually misrepresented as it was for me.

I was told I was purchasing a $500 bond that would cover any damages etc. when I moved out of my last apartment, and that I would have to pay any damages over that $500 if there were any. I paid just under $90 for this sure deposit (for $10 more at another apartment complex I could have gotten a refundable security deposit, i felt so stupid.) I had a bad accident breaking my right ankle and needing surgery right before I moved out of the apartment. Since I was told I would only be responsible to pay any charges over the $500 that the sure deposit covered, and I was having such a hard time getting everything moved out in time, I decided to go ahead and not have the carpets professionally cleaned and let the sure deposit cover those charges. Had this happened somewhere where I just paid a regular refundable security deposit, my deposit would have gone towards the cost to have the carpets cleaned. Instead, the sure deposit was $90, and then I had to pay an additional $250 because the apartment complex decided to charge above and beyond the price to have carpets cleaned. The sure deposit company paid them for the charges and then sent me to a collection agency to recoup their charges. I was not happy. I felt ripped off, and I will never use sure-deposit again.

An apartment complex misrepresented the Sure Deposit program to me when I moved in. They stated I would not have to pay for any damages over $500, which is not true. It's great for them to push because they can then gouge you on any cleaning/repair and don't have the burden of taking you to collections.

That seems to be the confusion, A deposit is defined as 'refundable' and a fee is just a 'non refundable charge' for services or otherwise. So, yes, non refundable deposits in CA is a no go (anywhere for that matter) but thats why it must be labled as a non refundable fee, not a deposit. I think people get the 2 confused. so the payment thats not refundable to the landlord for the suredeposit service is a fee, not a deposit. its to pay for the services of deposit coverage. if that makes sence. :) Looking into this myself!!! I am trying to see what other companies there are that do this same thing. Thanks!!!

Since some renters may be new to SureDeposit’s security deposit alternative, it’s understandable that they might have some initial questions about how the program works. This is why the top item on the form that residents sign when they opt for SureDeposit’s bond reads:

I am enrolling on a bond the Bankers Insurance Company (Surety) issued for the benefit of [the apartment community]... Moreover, this bond is not liability or other insurance, and thus does not relieve me of any responsibilities I have under the lease, including responsibility for physical damage to the property or for unpaid rent.

In addition, SureDeposit provides ongoing support to both to new and existing clients to reinforce how the program should be explained to residents at the leasing desk.

Thank you Mary great information. I was not aware of this aspect of SureDeposit.