It can be hard to part with your security deposit before you move into a new apartment. But as long as you take a few precautions, your deposit should make it back to your bank account after your lease is up. When you think ahead and pay attention to detail, it's easy to get your security deposit back.
One of the easiest ways to forfeit your security deposit is to break your lease agreement, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Obvious destruction like holes in the walls or tears in the carpet will naturally cause deductions from your deposit, as will missing rent payments or continually paying late. But it's important to pay attention to other, more subtle lease terms as well. Know your landlord's policies on things like pounding nails in the wall, guests staying over, smoking and owning pets. To ensure that you aren't blamed for damage that you didn't cause, document the condition of the apartment with both a written list and pictures of any damage when you first move in. Ideally, your landlord will sign and date these documents, too.
One crucial component of receiving your full security deposit at the end of a lease is the cleanliness of your apartment. Moving can be so stressful that once you're finally settled in a new residence, leaving is probably the last thing on your mind. Still, one of the easiest ways to keep your apartment clean is to think ahead to when your lease is up. Dust and vacuum regularly. Keep the floors, toilet, refrigerator and stove clean to prevent overwhelming jobs at the end of your stay. Even if you keep your apartment clean during your lease, you'll still need to give it an extra-thorough cleaning before you move out. Don't forget some easily overlooked places, such as venetian blinds, the tops of curtain rods, molding along floors and the windowsills.
As long as you leave your apartment in the same or better condition than you found it, you should have no problems getting your security deposit back when your lease term is up. This means following all your lease agreements and keeping things clean. It also means returning all keys to your landlord before you exit the apartment, removing all your belongings by the last day of your lease and telling your landlord right away when your apartment has routine maintenance issues that need to be attended to.
The requirements for getting your security deposit back are straightforward. As long as you take care of the place you're living in, your security deposit will be just that-secure.
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