Moving Out of Your Apartment? Here’s How to Get Your Full Security Deposit Back
You’re filled with both excitement and stress as you prepare to move out of your apartment. You can’t wait to enjoy a delightful haven, but at the same time are anxious about cleaning, packing your furniture, and the countless boxes staring back at you. And if you are like most renters, you want your security deposit back in its entirety.
You are in luck. We’re going to provide you with checks to tick off in order to get your full security deposit. Following this guide will make your apartment moving endeavors hassle-free.
1. Review The Lease Regarding Move-Out Requirements
Before grabbing the boxes to start packing your belongings, it helps to read through the lease once again. It is safe to assume that the lease includes basic requirements such as cleaning and providing prior notice before moving out.
For some rentals, a full professional carpet cleaning may be required, while for others, basic filling and repainting of nail holes suffices. Having clarity on what is expected will deal with any surprises at the last moment or unnecessary deductions.
Tip: Remind yourself at least one month prior to the move out date to notify your landlord formally if the lease requires it.
2. Take Photos (plenty of them)
If you did have the foresight to document spaces with damage throughout your unit or were unable to and will have the chance when leaving, this is the perfect time.
Remember to capture and keep every room clear of furniture at the time of picture taking. Additional points to capture are as follows:
– Floors and Carpets
– Walls ( Areas with artwork or removable hooks need special attention)
– Appliances (both interior and exterior)
– Windows and Blinds
– Bathrooms including all fixtures and available grout
In case of tenant vs. landlord disputes related to unit condition, these images can be deemed necessary evidence.
3. Do a Deep Clean (Or Hire Someone Who Will)
If you’ve lived in your apartment for more than a year, there’s probably a fair bit of dust and grime hidden in corners and under appliances. One of the things which distinguishes neglect from sustaining is a deep cleaning.
Consider this for your checklist:
– wipe down baseboards and trim,
– clean windows and sliding glass doors,
– de-grease the kitchen (specially the stove and oven),
– sanitize closet and bathroom surfaces, cabinets, and drawers,
– vacuum (or mop) all floors,
– and disinfect the root of the windows and check the inside each hini.
In case if all of this looks like a lot, yes it is, then perhaps it’s best to hire a professional service. Doing this might be cheaper than losing hundreds of your deposit thanks to poor cleaning.
4. Patch And Paint Small Damages
Don’t worry about those tiny marks or holes made by flecked artworks on your living room canvas. This goes for all imperfections that have been carefully hidden forth behind robust couches. But landlords view the term in their own manner.
To prevent any issues, make sure to try to:
• Putty over any nail holes
• Paint over dings and scratches, using the same paint colors as the rest of the the walls (choose the same color!)
• Use a hot iron and a damp towel to steam out the dents in the carpets
These small improvements will help the landlord realize that you valued and maintained the property.
5. Use Proper Help, Not DIY
Accidentally, in an attempt to move large objects, renters do the most amount of damage. The Striped floors, as well as damaged walls and door frames, are common culprits that end up costing the renter a lot.
After accepting a deal of some pizza in exchange for attempting the DIY approach, one realizes how much further they fall down the rabbit hole of needing professional Apartment Movers.
These types of movers know how to move through tight spaces, such as elevators and stairwells. This not only means that the items stay damage free, but the person doing the moving has less of a chance of injuring themselves.
Specialized teams in apartment moving are trained in dealing with advanced building rules regarding the reservation of elevators and docks as well.
6. Participate In The Walk-Through
Landlords allow for a pre-move out check, where the rest of the house is left for inspection. Users get the opportunity to fix any mistakes that landlords point out while they inspect the place before handing over the keys.
Try to attend the final walkthrough, even if no pre-inspection is scheduled. In the event they mention an issue that will cost you a portion of your deposit, you can pose questions or provide a solution right then.
7. Return Everything You Were Given
Consider: what was included in your tenancy such as a set of mailbox keys, garage remotes, gate fobs, or even pool passes?
It is critical that all these items are returned, preferably neat, tidy and labeled. Not doing so may result in lost funds being deducted from your deposit.
8. Provide Your Forwarding Address
All steps taken thus far don’t matter if you fail to specify where your deposit will be sent. When submitting the keys, hand over the provided documents that state your forwarded address.
Alongside this, I also recommend setting up a USPS mail forwarding solution to direct any stray mail to your new residence.
Bonus Tip: Keep a Folder of Everything
During the entire move-out juncture, consider gathering documents like your lease agreement, move-out checklists, photos, inspection reports, and all communication with your landlord, and slapping them in one folder.
While the documents may not be needed, this information can serve useful for filing a dispute, formal complaint or small claims case if the situation warrants it.
Why Hiring Apartment Movers is Worth It
Moving out of an apartment comes with its own set of problems; restrictive hallways, long distance to parking spaces and the building’s rules regarding lifts and moving times. Some apartment movers can take care of most of the hassle and reduce quite a few risks in losing the deposit.
Not only do professional movers take utmost care of your belongings, they also take great care of the apartment itself. Their efficiency also allows you to focus your energy on deep cleaning and prepping the space instead of fighting with furniture like sectional sofas in a stairwell.
While choosing the service, movers with clear pricing, and prior experience specializing in apartment moving should be given preference. That way, they can properly take care of things like permits, elevator bookings, and even insurance paperwork from the landlord or building manager.
Final Thoughts
The full amount of security deposit retrieval is not restricted only to cleaning. It is a question of well thought out steps and meticulous execution. As far as the condition of the apartment goes, documented properly, with the right help, it could mean hundreds of dollars back in the pocket.
If you are relocating to a different area within the complex or the city itself, working with specialists apartment movers will guarantee a seamless relocation process.
