Table of Contents
- 1 Ways to Ensure You Get Your Security Deposit Back
- 1.1 Clean your apartment before you move out
- 1.2 Take pictures of your apartment before you move out.
- 1.3 Repair any damage that was done to the apartment while you lived there
- 1.4 Get a receipt for all payments made while living in the apartment.
- 1.5 Return all keys and access cards to management
- 1.6 Keep copies of all forms related to your move-out process.
- 1.7 Clean up the apartment before you leave
- 1.8 Document receipts for payment of rent, security deposit, and other required fees that are owed to management
Ways to Ensure You Get Your Security Deposit Back
It’s always stressful when you have to move, but it can be especially disheartening if you find out that the landlord is withholding your security deposit. Even worse, some landlords will try to use any excuse possible not to give you your money back. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to ensure your rights are protected and make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future. Here are five tips for ensuring you get all of your security deposit back:
Clean your apartment before you move out
When you first decide to rent an apartment, you have likely signed a rental agreement that includes how much money needs to be paid upfront and information about cleaning fees should you move out without accounting for any damage that may have occurred while living in the apartment. While it is typically not required to hire an outside company or “professional” to clean the apartment before moving out, many properties will charge a fee to cover the cost of someone doing so on your behalf. However, you should always come to a move-out inspection with your apartment in the best condition possible.
Take pictures of your apartment before you move out.
While you will likely be completing a walk-through with the manager or onsite leasing agent at the time of your move-out, it is always helpful to have additional documentation available if there is a dispute about how much damage was present in the apartment when you moved in. Additionally, it is a good idea to take pictures of any damages that exist at move-out before they can be repaired or otherwise accounted for.
Repair any damage that was done to the apartment while you lived there
If your landlord does not make any claims on your security deposit, or if the claims made are minimal enough that they can be easily remedied, it may make sense to simply pay for any repairs yourself.
Get a receipt for all payments made while living in the apartment.
This step is very important, as it will help prove that you have paid your rent and other associated fees on time. Furthermore, if there are any disputes about damages or cleaning fees when you move out, having a receipt for all payments made while living in the apartment can help to prove your case.
Return all keys and access cards to management
When you move out, you are expected to return any keys or access cards given to you while living in the apartment and the parking permit if applicable. It is also helpful to proactively let your landlord know where they can safely store these items.
Landlords in the United States typically require written notice before ending a lease agreement or when a tenant moves out early from their apartment. This letter should be kept in case any terms outlined within it have not been followed, such as when you are being charged for damage that you did not cause.
Clean up the apartment before you leave
Part of knowing how to evict a tenant without going to court is by leaving your unit in better condition than when you moved into it or at least having no significant damages caused by you. This includes all trash being taken out, the floors being swept and mopped, any stains on your carpet or furniture being removed, all dishes being washed and put away, and any other items you used during the time you lived in the apartment.
Document receipts for payment of rent, security deposit, and other required fees that are owed to management
When you move out, there are typically costs associated with the departure. When you should pay the following fees as outlined in your lease agreement:
- Unpaid Rent (if applicable)
- Security Deposits (typically one month’s rent for an unfurnished apartment or two months rent for a furnished apartment)
- Late fees (typically dependent on how late your rent payments are, but typically $30 or $60 per month of rent that is late)
- Cleaning Fees (typically one month’s rent for an unfurnished apartment or two months’ rent for a furnished apartment)
These fees are outlined in your lease agreement, so you should have documentation available to show that you have paid them.
Summary
When you move out of your apartment, it is essential to know what steps to take to get your security deposit back. By following the tips we have outlined in this article, you can ensure no disputes between you and your landlord when it comes time to return your security deposit.