Advance rent and security deposits: tracking them properly

Updated on 2026-11-11

Receiving several months of rent at once is common in Cameroon. It is comfortable for the landlord but a source of mistakes: forgotten months, an advance mixed up with the deposit, a refund miscalculated when the tenant leaves.

Separate the date received from the months covered

An advance has two dates: when the money is received and which months it pays for. Example: FCFA 180,000 received on 2 October for a FCFA 60,000 rent covers October, November and December. In your cash flow, the money came in during October; in rent tracking, each month is settled separately.

Do not confuse advance rent with the security deposit

Advance rent pays rent: it belongs to the landlord for the months covered. The security deposit, or caution, is still owed to the tenant at move-out, minus justified sums (repairs, unpaid rent). Record them on two separate lines in the lease and in your accounts.

Plan for an early move-out

What happens if the tenant leaves before the end of the paid months? State in the lease the notice period and what happens to unused months. A transparent month-by-month calculation avoids disputes.

Full example

Rent: FCFA 60,000 per month; security deposit: FCFA 120,000.
On 2 October, the tenant pays FCFA 300,000: FCFA 180,000 in advance (October to December) and FCFA 120,000 as a deposit.
October cash flow: FCFA 300,000 received, of which FCFA 120,000 is kept aside.
Rent tracking: October, November and December settled; next due date 5 January.
Three receipts, one for each month covered.

Recording an advance in Kojew

In Rent, select the range of months paid, check the allocation preview and confirm. Kojew settles each month, keeps the actual date received for cash flow and tracks the security deposit separately.

Frequently asked questions

Must I refund advance rent if the tenant leaves early?

It depends on what the lease says and on the applicable rules. Set out the notice period and what happens to paid but unused months in writing, and seek advice if in doubt.

Is the security deposit income?

No: it is still owed to the tenant at the end of the lease, minus justified sums. Do not count it as collected rent.

Put this guide into practice in Kojew

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These guides are for information only and do not replace advice from a legal professional (lawyer, notary, bailiff). Rules may change: check them before any important decision.