How to Get Your Deposit Back From Your Landlord

Unless you go out of your way to protect it, your deposit for your rental is in jeopardy. Landlords will try to keep any amount they think they can justify, so please don't let them have any justification.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. THOROUGHLY CLEAN - Clean, clean, clean, then clean some more. Have the carpets professionally cleaned. Make the place look spotless. After you have cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen, go over the fixtures with Windex to make them sparkle.

2. REMOVE EVERYTHING - Do not leave hangers hanging in the closets or cleaning products under the sink. Empty out the entire place. Be the Grinch, do not leave a hook in the wall or a vacuum in the closet. It is your trash (stuff) so take it with you. Hopefully there is a dumpster nearby.

3. REPAIR EVERYTHING - repair torn linoleum (see an article below on how to), patch holes from wall hangings, clean the walls where furniture leaned against it, etc.

4. WALK THROUGH WITH LANDLORD - Once when I moved out of an apartment, the landlord kept $175 from my deposit. I called and asked why. They said that I had a couch against the wall and the wall had to be repainted because of peoples heads or hands touching the wall. I told them that I did not have a couch (the truth) and I insisted that they walk through with me to show me where the damage was located. They said okay and immediately returned my money. They never scheduled the walk through. So, insist that they show you the damage.

Tips & Warnings

• P.S. I am a landlord and to date I have not kept a deposit for any damages. I understand that there will be normal wear and tear.

Resources

• Repair Linoleum Floors
• Stop Ants Safely
• Rental Property Manager's Toolbox: Complete Guide
• Multi-Family Millions
• Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009
• 2 Years to a Million in Real Estate
• Build Your Own Website All in One
• Affiliate Program for Passive Income

[labellefleur100]

on 1/25/2009 I absolutely love your idea of a walk through. I have never ever thought of that and it makes so much sense that I want to kick myself. 5* and recomd.

[Geargirl113]

on 1/16/2009 I took pictures of my place before I moved in and filed them away until I moved out 7 years later. I got all of my deposit back.

[SophiaMaria]

on 1/13/2009 Some great ideas! Unfortunately my roommates ruined the walls, so unless they repaint them, I'm not getting my money back. *sigh* But this would be great info for me to pass on to my roomies...

[Knowpher]

on 1/13/2009 Walkthrough? I never thought of it and yet how much trouble it can save! I would imagine taking pictures before wouldn't be such a bad idea either (as long as you plan to keep the place in decent shape!!) Thanks for the advice. 5*

[JMKnudson]

on 1/11/2009 Walkthroughs are so important before and after a deposit. Great info here.