Best Way to Return Tenant Security Deposit?

[Victor Sprague]

Hello,

I am curious what you all have found to be the best process for returning a security deposit to a tenant after they have moved out. Thanks! 

[JD Martin]

Always by check, mailed to a forwarding address they have provided, always made out to whomever paid the deposit when you signed the lease unless you have some written authorization by that party/parties otherwise. If you have any doubts it will get there, send it certified. Then you have written proof of where they wanted it sent, that it was delivered, and when they cash it you'll have a photocopy of someone's signature and (presumably) that person would have had to provide proof of their identity when they cashed it or deposited it into their account.