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Step 1
Use your camera. Before and after signing the lease, do a walk through with the landlord and take pictures of cracked tiles or other damage. Having the landlord sign off on these damages ahead of time will prevent you from being erroneously charged for them when you move out.
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Step 2
Report problems right away. It can be tempting to ignore small things that could lead to a major problem later on. Ignoring a leaky pipe, for example, may cause the landlord to keep part or all of your rental deposit if it leads to more significant damage such as wood rotting.
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Step 3
Let the landlord fix it. Unless you are a skilled handyman, it is best to let someone else do the repairs. You won't be blamed for bad work or for causing more damage to the premises and therefore more likely to have your deposit returned.
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Step 4
Document everything. If you do decide to fix something yourself or if your landlord authorizes you to call a handyman, keep your receipts and records. This will make it easier to determine what you're owed later on.
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Step 5
Supervise your pets. Landlords vary on what is considered normal wear-and-tear for animals. If you have hardwood floors that are prone to scratching, cover them up with a rug or designate a specific play area for your pet and use a child-proof fence to close it off.
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Step 6
Clean before you leave. Use bleach and other good cleaners to wash floors, counters, and bathroom since these are the areas that pick up the most dirt. A landlord is less likely to charge a cleaning fee against your rental deposit if you do a good job.
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Step 1
Know what you're entitled to. Go through your records to determine whether all or part of your rental deposit should be returned. The more prepared you are, the better your chances are of getting your money back.
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Step 2
Wait a month. Depending on where you live, a landlord usually has 30-45 days to return your deposit. If your rental space was left in immaculate condition upon moving out and you don't owe any rent, you should expect to receive your deposit back within this time.
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Step 3
Send a letter. If you haven't received a check within the allotted time, draft a letter to your landlord requesting your money back. Make sure to send it certified so that you know he received it.
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Step 4
Allow your landlord to respond. If your landlord has decided to keep part or all of your rental deposit, he must send an itemized list of damages and deductions. If there are no damages and your landlord doesn't respond, you may be entitled to recover double or triple the amount of your deposit.
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Step 5
Go to small claims court. Bring any pictures or records you have to prove your case, including the certified letter you sent requesting your deposit back.
