Your best shot at getting your full security deposit back is through thoroughly cleaning your apartment before you move out. Cleaning a rental propertyisn’t difficult, and knowing how to do so well will benefit both you and your landlord. Here are some things to keep in mind when cleaning your unit.
Don’t Skip the Details
Make sure you dust all surfaces and windowsills and try to scrub off any lingering stains on counters or tabletops. Also, wipe down the baseboards and knock down cobwebs that may have cropped up on the ceiling or walls. All these small details come together to make the unit look clean and well taken care of, which is what landlords expect to see when doing a walkthrough after you’ve moved out. Although they may not be explicitly looking for these details to be completed, the overall appearance of the property will be much better, and they will probably be more inclined to give you your deposit back.
Back to Basics
Pretend you’re a kid trying to clean the house and earn your allowance for the week. What are the things you would do to make the house look spick and span?
Landlords are looking for their properties to be close to the state they originally rented it out to you in. That means the carpets aren’t dirty, the windows are washed, and the walls are free of any holes. Make sure you vacuum up any and all debris and use a lint-free cloth to wash the windows to ensure they’re streak-free. Also, make sure the unit is completely empty. This includes toilet paper, shower curtains, rugs, and anything you may forget to pick up before heading out for the last time. Landlords can charge you for anything you leave behind, so do a couple run-throughs before leaving to ensure you have everything you moved in with.
What Counts as Normal Wear and Tear?
Although this varies by state, normal wear and tear is usually defined as the overall decline of a unit from the tenant’s daily use. So, think of a few small nail holes, smudges, small dents, and scrapes on the walls. This could also include dirty grout, faded wallpaper, or thinning carpet from frequent walking. Landlords most likely will not deduct from your security deposit for these types of things, since you simply living in their unit is what caused them.
Things that do not count as normal wear and tear can be large, gaping holes in the wall, appliance deterioration due to gross neglect, unapproved paint colors or bad paint jobs, and any tampering done to smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. These all go beyond the expectations that a landlord would have from someone living their daily life in the unit and show that the tenant disregarded the rules they set out for the duration of the lease.
Take Photos
It’s a good idea to take photos when you first move into an apartment, so you have documentation on the initial appearance before you lived there. That way, you can contrast the move-in pictures with pictures you take when you move-out to show your effect on the unit.
However, even if you didn’t take move-in pictures, make sure you take photos of the unit right before you move out, so you have physical proof of the condition you left it in. If your landlord tries to keep some or all of your security deposit, you can go back and study the photos you took while referencing what your landlord says they’re keeping the deposit for. You’ll be able to see what they’re talking about or be able to fight their claims with your own evidence.
Final Thoughts
It can be difficult to know what tenant cleaning responsibilities upon move-out are. It’s always best to ask your landlord what they expect you to do so you have the best shot at getting your deposit back. However, it is never your job to fix appliances, change carpeting, or do any large-scale maintenance jobs. That will always be the job of your landlord.
It is your job to make sure you complete the proper amount of cleaning to prove that you’re a star tenant who deserves their deposit. With this move-out cleaning list, you’re well on your way to doing so.