> Theoretically we could get some back when we move out, but based on our Tokyo experience I don't really believe we will.

That makes it sound more like a deposit that slimy landlords will find an excuse to not refund ("Ooh, look! A scratch in the shiny floor!")?

I don't know why he wrote that. Key money is not returned.

It could be that I am just totally wrong about this, as I am not the one who signed / read the rental agreement, but afaik both the Tokyo payment was and this payment is supposed to contain one month of deposit as well. For the Tokyo one we didn't get it back.