Some apartment-renting students are bracing themselves for what can be a celebration or a disappointment.

It's time for the annual return -- or lack of -- a security deposit.

Landlords are required by law to return a security deposit within 30 days of the tenant handing in his or her keys and vacating a premises, said James Rayback, an attorney for Rayback, Blanarik and Green Inc.

If the security deposit amount returned is less than the amount paid at the beginning of a lease's term, a statement listing all repairs and their costs must be included with the check, Rayback said.

Since most yearlong leases from last year ended in the middle of August, ex-tenants should be receiving their security deposit checks soon.

"We don't get a lot of cases around here that involve landlord-tenant disputes," Rayback said. "But the tenant can definitely sue the landlord and vice versa."

The amount of the security deposit is outlined in the lease, so once it is signed, the amount becomes binding. Rayback said landlords are not allowed to profit from security deposits; the cost of the repairs and services passed on to the tenant must be the exact amount originally paid.

Elyse Kist, property manager for Briarwood Apartments, 679-A Waupelani Drive, said, "We do not make money by charging ex-tenants for repairs or cleaning. Our company breaks even."

Shelli Parchey, a resident services representative for The Pointe, 501 Vairo Blvd., said it follows a standard process of distributing a checklist of procedures a month before a tenant's lease is up.

"We have a staff that does inspections on rooms," Parchey said. "If the procedure was not followed or there are damages, then we hire vendors to come in and clean."

Some students have had problems in the past concerning their security deposit.

Allison Heller (sophomore-journalism) said she has been having problems with her realtor since she signed her lease.

"They tried to charge me $800 for the security deposit alone, so I had to call them because it didn't seem right," she said. "I wish I would have stayed in the dorms."

Jason Burnham (senior-labor and industrial relations) said he only received half of his security deposit when his lease ended in August.

"They had to dust and wash the walls and the bathroom because they were bad, but my landlord never broke down the charges," he said.

Burnham said he feels unjustly charged because he and his roommates had to pay extra money, but did not know where the money went.

Despite the ongoing battle between landlords and tenants over security deposits, Kist said the reason to charge occupants is to ensure the apartments are ready for the next residents.

"It is our goal to give full deposits back to all our tenants," Kist said.