What does it mean to "top up shortfalls to rental deposit"?

[zya19]

Hi everyone,

I'm renewing my rental contract soon and going through the tenancy agreement. I noticed there's a new sentence under the security deposit section that wasn't in previous agreements, about me being obliged to top up the shortfalls to the rental deposit, up to a pretty large amount (much larger than the actual deposit sum).

I did a quick search and didn't find a lot of info on this. Does it mean that if there's any problem with the flat because of my fault (e.g. I cause property damage) and the landlord uses the deposit to call repair works and the repair cost is more than the deposit, I not only have to top up the deposit (this is expected) but also pay for the repair up to the obliged amount? (e.g. deposit is $3000, cost of repairs is $5000 and it's below the top up amount, I will have to pay $2000 on top of not getting my deposit back?)

On a related note, is it legally possible to be charged for repairs after I moved out?

Please advise, thank you in advance.

[PNGMK]

Yes, Yes, Yes.

[zya19]

Okay, thank you.
Can you also advise whether it's normal for the topup amount to be way greater than the deposit? Just want to know if the landlord is potentially preparing to grossly rip off from me.

And one more thing, how does the topup amount work? Is it up to that amount during the period of the tenancy, or each time the landlord decides to use the deposit?

[PNGMK]

Your deposit should be maintained at the level set out in the TA and only utilised as per the TA.