Deposits provide an opportunity to the tenant and the lessor to withdraw. If the tenant decide to cancel the rental while the deposit has been paid, this will be retained by the lessor as compensation for damages. Otherwise, if it's the lessor that breaks the contract before the tenant is to arrive at the property, article 1590 of the Civil Code then forces them to pay to the tenant double the amount of advance deposit put down.
In contrast with a deposit, the down payment is a definite commitment from both sides. If the tenant wants to cancel his contract, the lessor can claim the full rent provided or the money corresponding to the period during which the accommodation cannot be rented. Inversely, if the lessor wants to cancel the contract, the tenant may require compensation for moral and material damages, to the extent that this decision compromises his stay and can cause him additional expense.
Guarantee