Want to Make Sure You Get Your Security Deposit Back? These Tips are for You!

Moving home – especially when you’re buying a property – is an expensive process. Getting your security deposit back after your move can make expenses a lot easier to bear, whether you’re planning to use the money to cover your moving costs or to help furnish your new space. Here are some great tips to make this process easier.

• Plan for your deposit as soon as you move in: Ideally, as soon as you move into a rented home you should take action to protect your deposit. Use removable poster putty or removable hooks for paintings and artwork, place felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches on the floor, protect kitchen countertops from hot pans and pots, and carefully read any rules set out by the landlord. Take photos or video of the home before you move in, noting any existing issues, wear-and-tear or potential repairs.
• Don’t make unapproved changes: Your lease should have information in it that outlines what changes can or cannot be made to the property, but it is always a good idea to get written approval from your landlord about any changes you would like to make to the property so that both parties know their responsibilities. For example, tenants often want to paint rooms, but landlords may want to keep a particular paint color. They may refuse the change completely or request that the walls are repainted properly in the original color when you move out. Insist on written permission via email as this creates an easily checked record to refer to.
• Don’t leave repair issues till your moving day: Carpet stains and small repair jobs should be dealt with as soon as they occur rather than being left for months or even years. If a repair is your landlord’s responsibility, contact them immediately about it. Small issues like a leaky shower faucet are easy to deal with – but if left for months it may cause damage to bathroom walls and flooring – and while your landlord may be responsible for the initial repair, you may end up being responsible for the excess damage. Again, be sure to email as well as call your landlord about this issue, so that you have a clear record of when you notified them of the issue, what repairs are needed and where the responsibility lies.
• Fix up: Make a thorough examination of the home and note down any repairs you are responsible for, including wear-and-tear or paintwork. Repaint walls in their original colors, fix cabinet door hinges and patch holes where you hung art.
• Clean up: This depends on whether or not your lease includes a non-refundable cleaning deposit. If you have paid a cleaning deposit, then broom clean is ideal. If not, it may be a good idea to get a professional cleaning service in to scrub the place from top to bottom, including deep-cleaning the appliances.
• Take photos on moving day: The day you move out, document the condition of the home clearly and in detail. Take photos or video of each room and surface and note any improvements you may have made. Email these to your landlord as soon as you can (but don’t worry too much – digital images have ingrained time-stamp data in case damage happens after your move). Another good idea is to request a walk-through with your landlord after you have cleaned up and ensure they sign off on their checklist.
• Comply with procedures for ending your lease: Read through your lease carefully and ensure that you have complied with all the procedures necessary to end your lease. Again, document your compliance in detail and keep all this documentation on file as well as sending your landlord a copy. Be sure to notify your landlord about your moving date in accordance with the policies in your lease.
• Keep your landlord informed: When you drop off the keys, leave a forwarding address with your landlord along with any information they may need to send your security deposit.
• Know your legal rights and responsibilities as a tenant: While there are many fantastic landlords out there, there are also plenty of stories of landlords who have unfairly – or illegally – bilked on a security deposit. Check your city, county and state laws for security deposit laws and regulations so that you know where you stand. First, if a landlord is withholding all or part of your deposit, ask for an itemized list accounting for the withheld money. Also, it is important to know that you aren’t always liable for the full replacement cost of items. For example, if something was brand new when you moved in and now it is ruined, your landlord has a case. However, if the item was old to begin with and is now no longer working, you are only liable for the value of the item as it was when you first moved in. This applies to appliances, carpets, flooring and even paintwork.

Moving home is an exciting start to a new journey and having your security deposit can make a big impact on this experience. We wish you the very best for your new start and new home!