4 Ways You Can Improve The Chances Of Getting Your Rental Apartment Deposit Returned

When you are ready to move out of your rental apartment, one of the things you are probably looking forward to is receiving your deposit back. Unfortunately, if the apartment is not in good condition, there is a good chance your landlord will keep part or all of the deposit. To help ensure you get your deposit back and leave on a good note with your landlord, here are some tips.

Give Proper Notice

One of the most common reasons for a landlord to keep a deposit is that the renter failed to give proper notice that he or she was planning to vacate the apartment. The amount of time you have to give your notice before you can move varies by state. In all likelihood, the amount of time that your landlord requires is listed in the lease agreement. 

To ensure that the landlord has received your notice, send it to him or her certified through the mail. Not only will your landlord have proof of when you said you would be moving, but you also receive a receipt from the post office ensuring you that the notice was received. 

Find Another Tenant

In the event that you are planning to vacate your lease before it is actually up, the landlord has the right to keep part or all of your deposit. To keep this from happening, you can help find a new tenant before you move. As long as the person can meet the criteria established by the landlord for potential tenants, you should be able to still collect your deposit. 

Clean the Apartment and Document It

Thoroughly clean your apartment before moving. If you have to, hire a service to get your apartment ready to move. Once you are finished, take pictures of everything. You want to be sure that you have proof that you left the apartment in good condition. Ensure the pictures are timestamped to avoid questions about when they were taken. 

Inspect the Apartment With the Landlord

One of the best steps you can take to ensure that you get your deposit back is to inspect the apartment with the landlord. Schedule a date and time to walk through each room with your landlord. This gives you a chance to address any issues that the landlord has. At the end of the inspection, ask the landlord to provide you with proof that the apartment was properly cleaned and returned in good condition.

Chances are, your landlord is more than willing to give you back the security deposit for the apartment rental. By ensuring it is in good condition when your move, you make it easier for him or her to make the decision to return the money.