Film Locations Glossary
Damage deposit
What is a damage deposit?
Also called security deposit.
A damage deposit is money a production leaves with a property owner as security against damage at a location, refunded after an accepted final walkthrough.
It sits separately from the location fee and from the insurance deductible, and it is a receivable on the production's books until it comes back. Unclaimed deposits are a routine source of money left behind at wrap.
Example
A production leaves a $5,000 deposit on a private house. At wrap the punch list is a repainted hallway and two replanted borders, done in a day, and the full deposit comes back. Left unchased, it sits with the owner indefinitely.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Paid at signing, tracked as a receivable, released after an accepted final walkthrough.
Common mistake
Treating the deposit as gone once the shoot wraps. It is a receivable, and closing the punch list quickly is what turns it back into cash rather than a write-off.
Related questions
- How much is a location damage deposit?
- It varies with the property's value and the disruption involved, and it is negotiated alongside the location fee rather than set by a formula.
- When is a damage deposit returned?
- After a final walkthrough where the owner accepts the restoration, or after the punch list from that walkthrough is closed out.