# Get your security deposit back when you move out

> A process map exported from forks.world (https://forks.world). Author: forks.world community. Source: https://forks.world/p/cmv3g9ntn000hjk060bwcskdv
> It describes who does what, in what order, and with which technology. Read the plain-language sections first; the JSON at the end is the exact, complete data.

## Summary

- 12 steps across 1 layer
- Persona: Tenant, Landlord or property manager

## Pain points

Where this process hurts, worst first:

- **Return the deposit or send itemized deductions within your state's deadline** (Get your security deposit back when you move out; critical): Deadlines range from about two weeks to a month or more depending on the state

## How to read this file

- A process is made of **layers**. The main layer is the top level; any step of kind `subprocess` opens a detail layer with its own lanes and steps.
- **Lanes** are either persona (people/roles) or technology (systems). Each step belongs to one lane; `using` lists tools a person uses for that step.
- Step kinds: `start`, `task`, `decision` (its arrows carry the answer as a label), `subprocess`, `end`.

## Get your security deposit back when you move out

Lanes:
- Tenant: person / role (id `you`)
- Landlord or property manager: person / role (id `ll`)

Steps, in the order they run:

1. **Give notice that you're moving out** [start; Tenant; id `e1`]
   - then Reread the lease for move-out rules and cleaning requirements
2. **Reread the lease for move-out rules and cleaning requirements** [task; Tenant; id `e2`]
   - then Clean and fix small damage
3. **Clean and fix small damage** [task; Tenant; id `e3`]
   - then Ask for a walk-through before you leave
4. **Ask for a walk-through before you leave** [task; Tenant; id `e4`]
   - then Take dated photos and video of every room
5. **Take dated photos and video of every room** [task; Tenant; id `e5`]
   - then Return the keys and give a forwarding address in writing
6. **Return the keys and give a forwarding address in writing** [task; Tenant; id `e6`]
   - then Return the deposit or send itemized deductions within your state's deadline
7. **Return the deposit or send itemized deductions within your state's deadline** [task; Landlord or property manager; id `e7`] ⚠ PAIN POINT (critical): Deadlines range from about two weeks to a month or more depending on the state
   - then Are the deductions fair?
8. **Are the deductions fair?** [decision; Tenant; id `e8`]
   - if "Yes" go to Deposit settled; if "No" go to Send a letter disputing the deductions, with your photos
9. **Deposit settled** [end; Tenant; id `e11`]
10. **Send a letter disputing the deductions, with your photos** [task; Tenant; id `e9`]
   - then Refund the difference?
11. **Refund the difference?** [decision; Landlord or property manager; id `e10`]
   - if "Yes" go to Deposit settled; if "No" go to File in small claims court
12. **File in small claims court** [task; Tenant; id `e12`]
   - then Deposit settled

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  subgraph l_you["Tenant"]
    n_e1(["Give notice that you're moving out"])
    n_e2["Reread the lease for move-out rules and cleaning requirements"]
    n_e3["Clean and fix small damage"]
    n_e4["Ask for a walk-through before you leave"]
    n_e5["Take dated photos and video of every room"]
    n_e6["Return the keys and give a forwarding address in writing"]
    n_e8{"Are the deductions fair?"}
    n_e9["Send a letter disputing the deductions, with your photos"]
    n_e12["File in small claims court"]
    n_e11(["Deposit settled"])
  end
  subgraph l_ll["Landlord or property manager"]
    n_e7["Return the deposit or send itemized deductions within your state's deadline"]
    n_e10{"Refund the difference?"}
  end
  n_e1 --> n_e2
  n_e2 --> n_e3
  n_e3 --> n_e4
  n_e4 --> n_e5
  n_e5 --> n_e6
  n_e6 --> n_e7
  n_e7 --> n_e8
  n_e8 -->|"Yes"| n_e11
  n_e8 -->|"No"| n_e9
  n_e9 --> n_e10
  n_e10 -->|"Yes"| n_e11
  n_e10 -->|"No"| n_e12
  n_e12 --> n_e11
```

## Full data (JSON)

```json
{
  "title": "Get your security deposit back when you move out",
  "maps": {
    "m_root": {
      "id": "m_root",
      "lanes": [
        {
          "id": "you",
          "name": "Tenant",
          "type": "person"
        },
        {
          "id": "ll",
          "name": "Landlord or property manager",
          "type": "person"
        }
      ],
      "steps": [
        {
          "id": "e1",
          "kind": "start",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e2"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Give notice that you're moving out"
        },
        {
          "id": "e2",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e3"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Reread the lease for move-out rules and cleaning requirements"
        },
        {
          "id": "e3",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e4"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Clean and fix small damage"
        },
        {
          "id": "e4",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e5"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Ask for a walk-through before you leave"
        },
        {
          "id": "e5",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e6"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Take dated photos and video of every room"
        },
        {
          "id": "e6",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e7"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Return the keys and give a forwarding address in writing"
        },
        {
          "id": "e7",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "ll",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e8"
            }
          ],
          "pain": {
            "note": "Deadlines range from about two weeks to a month or more depending on the state",
            "level": 3
          },
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Return the deposit or send itemized deductions within your state's deadline"
        },
        {
          "id": "e8",
          "kind": "decision",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e11",
              "label": "Yes"
            },
            {
              "to": "e9",
              "label": "No"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Are the deductions fair?"
        },
        {
          "id": "e9",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e10"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Send a letter disputing the deductions, with your photos"
        },
        {
          "id": "e10",
          "kind": "decision",
          "lane": "ll",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e11",
              "label": "Yes"
            },
            {
              "to": "e12",
              "label": "No"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Refund the difference?"
        },
        {
          "id": "e12",
          "kind": "task",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [
            {
              "to": "e11"
            }
          ],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "File in small claims court"
        },
        {
          "id": "e11",
          "kind": "end",
          "lane": "you",
          "next": [],
          "uses": [],
          "label": "Deposit settled"
        }
      ],
      "title": "Get your security deposit back when you move out",
      "parent": null
    }
  }
}
```