Villa Deposit Mistake That Turned Into a Criminal Case

Our client rented a villa for six months. She lived there without any issues, paid on time, and the owner had no complaints.

The contract required a security deposit equal to one month’s rent: 25 million rupiah.

When it was time to move out, everything seemed straightforward: hand the villa back and get the deposit returned. However, the owner unexpectedly claimed that the furniture and walls had been damaged “because of humidity” and demanded extra payment for façade repairs.

The rental agreement, signed by both parties, clearly stated that:

Any serious damage related to the building’s structure, construction quality, and normal wear and tear is the owner’s responsibility.

In a tropical climate, this is standard practice: high humidity and mould will affect walls and finishes over time, even with careful use.

The notary who certified the transaction also confirmed that this type of damage is not the tenant’s responsibility.

Faced with what seemed unfair, the client did not consult a lawyer or resolve the matter legally. Instead, she tried to recover the withheld deposit herself by taking some household appliances and a TV.

From that moment, the conflict stopped being a routine dispute between tenant and owner.

The owner immediately went to the police and reported a theft. As a result, it was the tenant who ended up in a vulnerable position. Even if the owner breached the contract, taking property without permission is a serious offence.

For a foreigner, one wrong step is enough for a domestic conflict to go beyond a civil dispute and lead to serious consequences — even if, under the contract, they were in the right to begin with.

If the owner withholds your deposit, demands unjustified payments, or tries to shift their responsibilities onto you, you shouldn’t act on your own. These issues should be handled through legal channels, with professional support.

This helps you protect your interests legally and avoid problems that can be far more serious than losing a deposit.

📩 Contact us for a consultation in any way that’s convenient for you:

Website: https://legalindonesia.id/

Telegram: @legalindonesia / @LegalIndonesiaBot

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/628179677771