The rental security deposit – is the source of fear for many renters, particularly if you’re hard on rental spaces. But we’ve covered you with ten things you need to do to ensure you get your full rental deposit back. Fix holes, clean the baseboards, steam the carpets … get ready to clean.
Put in maintenance requests ahead of time
If there’s something that requires the landlord’s attention, say, a leaky faucet or slow drain, put in a maintenance request before you move out so the landlord can have these taken care of before the next tenant takes occupancy. This is good for you, too, so you can dot your i’s and cross your t’s before moving day.
Fill in holes in the wall
This will mostly be nail holes from hanging pictures, but you may also have some miscellaneous nicks and dings here and there from normal wear and tear, children or pets. Grab some spackle and a putty knife. Remove all screws, nails, and hooks from the walls. Use the putty knife to pack the holes with spackle, then clean up the edge and flatten it with the straight edge of the putty knife. Once dry, use a block or piece of sandpaper to sand the area entirely smooth. If necessary, paint the wall to hide the putty marks. While it may seem like a hassle, your bank account will be glad you took the extra time.
Touch up or paint
The next step is painting, if necessary. Check with your landlords and lease about this. If you’ve painted any crazy colors (or if there are any marks on the wall, from kids or anything else), you are required to return them to white. Make sure you get a matching white to the rest of the apartment, so you aren’t stuck painting everything. Trim, especially trim marred by furniture or possibly chewed or clawed at by pets, may also need a bit of spackle and a fresh coat of paint.
Clean thoroughly
Clean your apartment from top to bottom, literally. Go around the baseboards with a wet cloth, and grab a broom or extended duster to grab spider webs from the ceiling and molding. Scrub every inch of the bathroom so that it sparkles. No mold residue or soap scum should be visible. Same with the kitchen — and don’t forget the oven. Removing burners, cleaning the drip pans, and cleaning the oven bottom and door are good ideas. Remove cabinet liners and give cabinets a wipe-down, inside and outside.
Rent a carpet steamer
This is worth your time and hassle if you want your deposit back. Besides, your landlord will appreciate the effort. Carpet steamers are more efficient and stronger than a vacuum; they help remove odors, spots and will greatly improve the condition of a room for $50 and a few hours of your time. Be sure to plan ahead for this and move all boxes and furniture to non-carpeted rooms before renting your steamer and vacuum first to remove loose debris.
Check doors, windows and screens
Check doors for damage and putty/paint any spots pets, children, or cumbersome grocery bags or boxes may have left. Clean windows inside and outside if possible (and safe). Check all window and door screens for damage and repair with an inexpensive kit if necessary. These small things will all make sure your rental is in tip-top shape when the landlord walks through.
Grab some WD-40
A can of WD-40 is a tremendous help if there are any sticky or squeaky doors, drawers or cabinets. Spray it on the hinges and open and close several times to spread around the lubricant.
Remove everything
Make sure you check every area, including attics, behind doors, on top of cabinets, and under cabinets for personal effects. Leaving behind anything is bad form. Don’t forget to remove curtain rods you installed (and to cover any holes in walls – see above) or small pieces of furniture or dish ware. The one helpful thing to leave is a toilet paper roll in the bathroom. Everything else, including all trash, belongs to you and must be removed.
Hand over keys and garage door openers
Having all of the keys on a counter in one place makes it easy for the landlord to check they’re all present. Don’t forget to get back spare keys from friends, neighbors, or children. It’s also handy for you to have the original lease available to go over any questions with the landlord.
If something is broken, be honest.
Things break – it’s life. If something is broken, be honest and tell the landlord up front. Your landlord has to itemize expenses taken from your security rental deposit and cannot, under most circumstances, withhold the entire amount for one item. It’s best to be up front and earn yourself a good recommendation for future rental applications.