security deposit
noun[C]
ukusPROPERTY,COMMERCE
anamountpaidwhen youagreetorentahouse,apartment, etc., whichitsownercankeepif youleavebefore the end of theagreementordamagetheproperty:
Thesiteoffersresidentshelpon how to get alandlordto makerepairsorreturnasecuritydeposit.
FINANCE,COMMERCE
anamountthat someonesellingsomethingasksfor, which they cankeepif thebuyerlaterdecidesnot tobuy:
Theplanoffershomeownerssolarpowerenergyfor asecuritydepositof £1,000,ratherthan thefull£20,000installationcost.