Getting Your Security Deposit Back
For lots of renters the subject of the security deposit is somewhat of a touchy subject. Most renters assume they should receive their security deposit back in its entirety as long as there is no significant damage done to the apartment. Still, this is rarely true as there are number of aspects which contribute to if the security deposit or a percentage of the deposit will be returned to the renter when they vacate the premises.
Did You Do Any Major Damage?
Certainly doing major injury to the apartment such as putting holes in the walls, breaking appliances or tearing up the flooring may warrant the security deposit being kept but even in these examples the leasing agent must justify these costs. Put differently the leasing agent cannot use one damaged item to warrant keeping the whole security deposit. Rather the leasing agent is obliged to determine a cost to repair the item. If this estimate is large enough to warrant not giving back the security deposit the renter should be informed about the estimated cost of repairing the apartment.
Is Your Apartment Clean Enough?
All apartments should be cleaned thoroughly before the tenant vacates the property. This should include encompassing cleaning of all rooms of the apartment including the bedrooms, bathrooms and any common areas. A cleaning should also include cleaning of all of the blinds in the apartment. Blinds may be rather difficult to clean and many leasing agents charge approximately $10 per blind if they deem there is a need to clean these things. This can make sense rather quickly if there are a few windows in the apartment.
Many leasing agents also perform several standard cleaning functions when any resident vacates the property. This occasionally includes items such as cleaning out the refrigerator, shampooing the rug or repainting the walls. When these things are required, there is typically a fee associated with each item. In many cases, adding up these required fees ends in a number which is probable already approaching the sum of the security deposit. Additionally, leasing agents often only allow for one hour of cleaning services to prepare an apartment for the next residents. This is seldom enough time to finish the work and therefore renters end up being charged a surplus fee at an hourly rate. Smoking for long periods of time in an apartment can stain the walls. Using e cigarettes instead can help prevent this.
Have You Read Your Contract Documents?
Renters who wish to have the greatest chance of having a huge portion of their security deposit refunded to them ought to be very familiar with their contract documents. This is essential while living in the apartment in addition to while preparing to vacate the apartment. It is essential to be conversant with the contract terms while living in the apartment as it can prevent the renter from making decorating options which are explicitly prohibited by the rental agreement. These types of choices can be costly in the end because they might extend to the renter being assessed for perceived damages by the leasing agent.
Renters should also carefully look at the contract documents as they are intending to vacate the property. This is essential as it may help the renter to clean and make repairs to the apartment in accordance to directives set forth by the leasing agent. Doing this can make it much more liable the renter will not be assessed exorbitant fees at the conclusion of the rental agreement.
