How to Get Your Apartment Deposit Back

Not all deposits are refundable, but your rental agreement may promise that a cleaning or security deposit will be returned if the apartment is in good shape. There are a few simple steps you can take to improve the odds that your deposit will be returned.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Calendar
• Spackle
• Vacuum with extra bags
• Rags
• Garbage Bags
• Small Budget ($20-$30) for supplies as needed

1. Plan ahead. You don't have to wait until you know your new address. As soon as you know that you'd like to move, you can begin to take steps to make your move easier and ensure the return of your deposit.
   
   Get a calendar. Make a list of the things you'd like to get done in the apartment before the move and put one item on each day of the calendar. These five things should definitely be on your list:
   
   1) Call Maintenance
   2) Find a Donation Center
   3) Give Notice
   4) Get Boxes
   5) Gather your supplies

2. Call maintenance. Over time, little things can go wrong in an apartment and instead of calling maintenance, we just put up with the small inconvenience. The sliding glass handle is loose, one of the burners on your stove has stopped working, the garbage disposal is stuck... These are just little things in the course of our busy lives, but they will need to be fixed before someone new rents your apartment. Taking care of these things in advance ensures that they will not accidentally be deducted from your deposit.
   
   Make a list of what needs to be done and give it to the apartment manager or maintenance person in writing. Writing it down for them means that they won't forget anything. It also complies with the guidelines in many rental agreements which state that these requests should be made in writing.

3. Make some calls to donation centers in your area and, if possible, find one which will pick up the items at your home. Though Goodwill no longer makes pick-ups, many churches and missions still do. Schedule a pick-up toward the end of the month so you have time to get ready.
   
   Don't plan to sort through things after you move. Do it now and keep the clutter from invading your new home. Believe me, your lower back will thank you if you have fewer boxes on moving day!
   
   Plan ahead to donate large items like bookcases or tables that you might otherwise leave behind in the final time crunch. If the Apartment Manager has to pay to have things hauled away after you are gone, the cost will certainly be deducted from your deposit.

4. Giving notice of your intent to move out can be a tricky situation. So much depends on the type and quality of management employed by the property where you live. Whether you have a long term agreement or have been renting month-to-month, you will need to give at least 30 days notice that you intend to move. Failure to give proper notice can cost you your deposit, so follow the rules.
   
   Ask in advance to find out if you can pay pro-rated rent in case you need a couple of extra days. Your new place might not be ready yet, or the truck rental place may have over booked so you have no way to move your belongings. Most managers understand and can tell you in advance how much you will have to pay per day for the extra time. If they don't allow that kind of pro-rate or simply won't allow the extra time, at least you will know that in advance.

5. Get your boxes before you need them, and get extras if you can. People move every month and when they are finished, they have boxes which they no longer need. Check the nickel ads in your area for people who are offering moving boxes. You could even check with your apartment manager to see if there are incoming tenants who might want to pass their boxes along to you when they have unpacked.
   
   The point is that you don't want to have a last minute search for boxes which will distract you from doing the things you need to do in order to get your deposit back.

6. Have your supplies handy to use as you go.
   
   Have you packed the pictures which were hanging on your wall? Great! Grab the spackle and take a quick run around the room, using your finger to fill in the nail holes. Do the same for any other nicks or dings you notice on the wall. Five minutes and you're done, leaving walls which are ready to be painted when you move out.
   
   Is your shower a mildewed mess? Before you go to work in the morning, spray it down with the product of your choice (Tilex is one, but there are many others on the market), flip on the bathroom fan, and leave for the day. If you have pets, you should close the bathroom door as you leave to keep them from investigating the chemicals too closely. If you come home to find that there are still mildew spots on your tile and grout, repeat the process the next day.
   
   Take a few minutes to clean around light switches with a damp cloth. It seems like a small thing, but when your apartment is empty, the grubby hand prints will really stand out. Removing them in advance will save you from having to handle this pesky detail on moving day and can have a positive impact on the return of your deposit.
   
   Make maximum use of your vacuum and its attachments. Each time you move something to sort or pack it, vacuum underneath and wipe down the base board if necessary. Use the attachments to get the dust bunnies that gather behind books on bookcases or bits of food in the drawers and cabinets of your kitchen, even if you intend to put items back in place when you are done. Using the vacuum before resorting to a damp rag will save a lot of time and cleaning as you go and will ensure that it gets done, no matter how exhausted you are on moving day.

7. Spot clean carpet stains. Property owners don't want the expense of replacing the carpet and you certainly don't want that cost to be taken from your deposit. Starting early on this project will allow you to repeat the process until the stain is gone.

8. Clean your oven and stove top thoroughly. You can do this in stages to make it easier. Place a deep casserole dish, uncovered and full of clean water, on the middle rack and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Leave it for 30 minutes, then turn the oven off but don't open it. Allow the oven and water to cool for 30 minutes. Dip a rag in the water and wipe out the oven. For the second stage, use your favorite oven cleaner for the tough spots. Remember, your oven doesn't need to be pristine when you move out. You just want to make sure that you haven't left behind an all-day cleaning event which will eat into your refundable deposit.

9. Clean your refrigerator. Again, you can do this in stages as time allows. Make sure you clean the rubber seal around the fridge door and underneath the vegetable crisper. As with the oven, you refrigerator does not have to be absolutely pristine, but it should be pretty close. Never, EVER leave any food or beverages in the refrigerator at the end of moving day.

10. Schedule an appointment with your apartment manager and be present for the final walk-through of the apartment.
    
    If you are concerned that the property management may try to take advantage of you, take pictures on moving day and during the walk-through. Be certain that the walk-through form is filled out accurately AND SIGNED before you accept your copy. If there is no copy for you, ask for one to be made in the office while you wait. In a pinch, you can take a picture of the form.

Tips & Warnings

• Always follow the rules of your rental agreement when moving out. Give notice in writing and do everything in your power to make the process pleasant and easy for management because they can return the favor when it comes to your deposit.

[Sarah515]

on 3/24/2008 I will definitely keep these things in mind. I will be moving into an apartment in a couple months and never realized how difficult this can be!