How to Recover an Apartment Rental Security Deposit

Renting an apartment usually requires you to plunk down a deposit. Often this amounts to an extra month's rent, which can be a struggle if you are living paycheck to paycheck. When your lease is up, if you decide to move into a different rental, you could probably benefit a great deal by receiving your deposit back. Save yourself any hassle by learning the steps to take now, even before you move into your apartment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Inspect your new apartment exhaustively before you move in. If your landlord provides you with a walk-through checklist, use it and use it well. If you are not given one, make your own! While it might seem nit-picky to jot down every dent, ding or missing outlet cover, your property manager will perform his or her own walk-through when you vacate. Protect yourself by listing every potential problem you can find. Make sure you keep a copy as well.
2. Pester your apartment manager. This does not mean annoy him or her for no good reason! Just don't let little defects or problems go because you don't want to be a bother. If that little drip becomes a bursting pipe, you could be responsible, since you did not call attention to it. So go ahead and be a squeaky wheel.
3. Fix what you mess up. If you put an ugly scratch in the wall, touch it up to the best of your ability. If you break a window, have it replaced. Anything beyond normal wear and tear is your responsibility.
4. Clean up after yourself. After you have removed all of your furnishings and other personal items from your apartment, give it a thorough cleaning. It should be at least as clean as it was before you moved in. Sweep, mop, clean the refrigerator and stove, scrub the toilet and tub, and at least give the carpets a thorough vacuuming. If you can get your hands on a steam cleaner, that is even better.
5. Hand your keys over to the landlord, along with your contact information and forwarding address. Ask them when you can expect to receive your deposit back. Check your lease to see how long you have agreed upon to receive the deposit back. If you do not have a lease, the landlord must contact you within 21 days.
6. Send a certified letter if you do not receive your deposit back within the allotted time. Write a request for your security deposit. Keep a copy of the letter, as well as your return receipt from the post office. If you still do not receive a response, consider taking the landlord to small claims court.

Tips & Warnings

• Take pictures of your apartment before moving in your furnishings and after you have moved out. These can be digital photos kept on your computer just to protect yourself later.
• Whether or not you have a lease, in most states you must give a 30-day written notice before moving out. Failing to do so can cause you to lose your security deposit.