How to Get Your Security Deposit Back When You Move Out
Moving can be stressful. Between the hassle of packing up your boxes, loading up the truck, and finding somewhere else to call home, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you’ll get your security deposit back.
While we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your full security deposit back (every landlord is different) we can definitely help set you up for success with some useful tips.
1. Ask your landlord to do a walk-through with you.
Landlords make the final call on whether or not you’ll be getting your security deposit back, so doing a walk-through with them can help you spot out any damages that will need repairs. This will also help you fix anything that your landlord requests instead of spending your time and money on the things that won’t affect your security deposit retrieval.
2. Repair any damage.
After your landlord was able to assess the damages, spend some time fixing anything that was pointed out. Simple things like filling in holes with putty or repainting a room can be done by you and your friends, but be sure to leave the more complicated things like plumbing and electrical fixes to the professionals.
3. Thoroughly clean your home.
Believe it or not, landlords can refuse to give you your money back if you leave your home a mess. Before you say farewell to your old home, be sure to give it one last deep clean. This doesn’t mean just vacuuming and sweeping, it means cleaning and scrubbing every crack and crevice. Make sure you clear out and wipe down your refrigerator, microwave, and oven, as well as scrub the bathtub, sink and toilet.
4. Do your own inspection
Before locking up and handing over the keys, do one final inspection either by yourself or with some friends to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Walk through every room, open every drawer and closet, and double check that you’ve fixed everything your landlord had pointed out.
The best rule of thumb when moving out is to try to leave your home exactly like you found it. And when you finally do move into your new home, be sure to document every damage on video so that you can refer back to it should you ever decide to move out. If you need a place to store your stuff or some moving supplies to help your transition, we’d love to help you out. Just stop by one of our locations and say hi!