How to Get your Security Deposit Back

Rental

Are you afraid that you won't get your deposit back when you move from the place you are renting. Have you had bad luck in the past getting your full deposit back? Learn these insider tips to guarantee you will get your deposit back from your Landlord.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning Supplies

Instructions

1. 

   After you have given your notice, you want to start preparing your apartment for the move. Start cleaning things like the oven or windows. Make small repairs, such as taking a window screen to get it repaired or gluing on a piece of molding. Take pictures down and putty the holes and buy a pint size can of paint to paint over the putty. Take a little piece of the paint to the store and they can match it. It's probably Navajo White.

2. You should already have a check off list for the condition of your apartment when you moved it. Find that piece of paper and go over it so that you are reminded of what you need to do. Ask the Landlord if you need to clean the carpet. Some Landlords will not tell you this till after you have moved and it's too late to do it yourself and will deduct the carpet cleaning fee from your deposit. Don't let that happen.

3. Get everything completely out of your apartment that you can so that you clean it without any obstacles. Rent a carpet cleaner in the morning so you don't have to go back out and get it when you are tired from cleaning.

4. The day before your 30 day's are up, schedule a time for the Landlord to come over and look at the cleaned apartment. If at all possible, ask a friend or family member to be there, too, so that you have a witness.

5. 

   When the Landlord arrives, tell her or him that you worked very hard because you want to get your deposit back. As the Landlord goes through the apartment, make a list of what still needs to be done. Have a copy of your check off list with you and use that and make notes.

6. Show the Landlord the list that you have made and tell him/her that you will do everything. Then say, (and this is very important and will help you get your full deposit back) "When I complete everything on the list, then I will get my full deposit back, right?" Wait for the Landlord to give you an affirmative answer. If s/he doesn't keep asking the questions until you get an yes.

7. When you call the Landlord to inspect the rental again, tell him/her that you have done everything on the list and would it be possible to get your deposit back today.

8. When the Landlord arrives have the list with you and a friend and show him/her all the things that you did that was requested. If at all possible, have him/her sign and date the check off list that they have gone through the apartment and it is clean.

9. Take pictures of the apartment, including the inside of the oven and refrigerator. It wouldn't hurt if your Landlord sees you taking the photos. This will be particularly important if you can't get the Landlord to sign and date the check off list.

10. 

    As you hand over the keys, ask the Landlord if you can have your deposit now, if it was previous discussed or if not, when you can expect your deposit back. Since s/he has said the apartment is clean, then you should not have to wait more than several days. Check with a tenant/landlord association in your state to see what the time limit is for the return of a deposit. It should be no more than 2 weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Be very nice and keep reminding yourself that the goal is to get your full deposit back.