Issuing a security deposit on your rental is necessary so you can reside there. While obtaining your security deposit back from the landlord after moving might feel like an impossible feat, it isn’t. In fact, numerous renters believe that this money is usually a lost cause.
Bear in mind that the security deposit is fundamentally your money, so there’s hope when it’s time for moving out. Fortunately, these strategies will help you retrieve your security deposit.
1. Read Your Lease
These documents can be lengthy at times and most renters like skimming through them. However, it’s necessary you take your time and ensure you read the fine print. The agreement will inform you what you should be responsible for along with the rules you should follow to be in good standing with the landlord.
You’ll discover that most of it is rather obvious, like ensuring you leave the rental in a good condition, but some have appendices that involve you having to restore the walls to their initial color, cleaning the carpets, or filling nail holes.
Once you establish what you should do, ensure you maintain a copy of the lease in a safe place, somewhere you’ll be able to locate it once it’s time for moving out.
2. Avoid Leaving a Mess
Lay the foundation for retrieving your deposit by leaving the rental in the best possible condition. While leaving it untidy isn’t a reason for forfeiture, the last thing you want is to give the landlord reason to delay the procedure.
You aren’t responsible for replacing the carpeting or re-paneling wood floors but you should not leave trash on the floor. Handle any minor repairs but discuss with the landlord before you do anything big because you wouldn’t want to turn minor damage into something major and have to forfeit the security deposit.
3. Have the Landlord Perform a Mock Inspection
Request your landlord to conduct an unofficial inspection before the move-out date. This not only helps you evaluate what requires fixing but also permits both of you to be on the same page regarding what requires additional repairs or cleaning.
Give yourself some days between the inspection and move-out day. This way, you’ll have time to rectify anything the landlord may be displeased with.
4. Recognize Your Rights and Your State’s Housing Laws
As a renter, you should be familiar with your rights in your state. These days, it’s as easy as conducting some online research. Recognizing your rights could make the difference between having a legal ground to stand on and arguing blindly to retrieve your money back.
5. Record Your Improvements
After living in your rental for a while, you might decide to make some enhancements. For instance, you might decide to change the shower head or replace the old carpet. Of course, the landlord must give you the go-ahead before you do anything.
Once this happens, take photos and document the enhancements you’ve completed in your rental. This will help in the event that the company responsible for the changes makes any errors that you shouldn’t cover.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining a security deposit can seem impossible for many. However, these simple strategies will increase your likelihood of retrieving it once you decide it’s time to move out.
For more information on how to get your security deposit back, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a message.