SECURITY DEPOSIT ON RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THE VALENCIAN COMMUNITY

I have been advised that a security deposit can be used to offset the final months rent in respect of a rental propertyIin the Valencian Community.My understanding is that any security deposit is to be used to pay for any damages or outstanding bills on vacation of the property, and is to be settled within 30 days of vacation of the property. Whats the point of having a security deposit if this is the case? Has anyone come across this before ?

Well that's not entirely true, it may be common practise because very few landlords actually give back the security deposit in Spain and always tend to find something wrong with the property in order to keep it. So the tenants attempt to protect themselves by offsetting the final month's payment with the security deposit or final two months if the security was two months. It is not the correct thing to do especially if the property has suffered damages, nor does it have anything to do with the Valencian Community, its just common practise here and in most of Spain. Lack of trust is the culpret here when it comes to recovering your security deposit....because in many cases the landlord won't have it available as he/she may have spent it! Very few actually deposit it in a seperate account as the law stipulates. 

Well, this is my understanding at least.

Thank you Ian for your informative reply. Its as I thought "Trust"