Date Posted: 2012-07-19 10:51:56
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
A security deposit is an amount of money that you hand over to the landlord to serve as compensation in the event that you leave the rental in bad condition. On the other hand, since it’s a deposit, the landlord will give it back to you if you leave the place the way you got it.
Still, there are those who just assume that they won’t get their security deposit back when their lease expires so they’d rather not try. Don’t just let go of money that you’re legally entitled to; follow these steps to make sure that you’ll get your deposit before you leave your apartment for rent.
1. Study your lease – Make sure your lease clearly indicates what grounds the landlord has for holding your security deposit. Some wear and tear are understandable, but if changing the wallpaper or installing crown moldings are not in his list of allowed home improvements, don’t be shocked if he uses most or all of your deposit to put things back the way they were.
2. Note the existing damage – Before moving into the apartment, perform a walk-through and take note of any damage you find. Make a list and show them to the landlord or better yet, take pictures so you’ll have hard evidence if the landlord gives you any trouble about returning your deposit.
3. Take care of the unit – The security deposit is only used to cover things that are not considered as normal wear and tear, so be sure to take good care of your apartment throughout your stay. If you do any changes that you feel the landlord might take out of the deposit (paint jobs, nail holes), change them back or repair them yourself.
4. Tidy up before you leave – Give the place a good cleaning before you go. Sure, the landlord usually does this after every tenant, but if the dirt is more than the occasional breadcrumb (think wall art with crayons), don’t expect your entire deposit back.
These days, money is hard to come by, so you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for what’s rightfully yours. As long as you know your rights and you can be responsible for your apartment, there’s no reason why the landlord shouldn’t hand over your security deposit on moving day.
Jillian Cariola, Writer
(cover image by Roman Sigaev)
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