How to Get Your Deposit Back When You Move Out?

Most people are too busy and always neglect house cleaning. They prefer to indulge in rest and relaxation, meeting friends, cooking something tasty, etc., instead of indulging in a few hours of sanitation. Over time, however, a large amount of dirt accumulates, which becomes increasingly difficult to remove. If you are renting, this can play a bad joke on you when you move out – the worst thing is to keep the entire deposit amount from your landlord, in addition.

Do not leave the property for rent just like that, take care of it as a personal one and eliminate any damage immediately. This way you will live more comfortably and it is much safer to get your deposit back.

Steps to get your rental deposit back

There is a very high probability that your deposit will not be refunded if you do not take the necessary care of the property periodically. You are responsible for everything that happens in the home from the moment you take the key to it.

In the following lines you will find useful information regarding the things you need to do throughout the contract and at the end to ensure a smooth receipt of the deposit.

Be careful and do some things from the very beginning

To increase your chance of returning the deposit at the end, you need to prepare from the beginning. Here we will summarize what to emphasize when applying:

• Take pictures of each room and especially the corners that do not look so perfect.
• Carefully review the checklist before writing it. Also keep it until the last day.
• Be decent in the monthly payments – for rent, electricity, water, cable and internet, for property maintenance, etc. This shows that you are serious.
• Be careful with the property – during each cleaning, carefully knead the furniture, pull the carpet from the places where it is very possible to get serious dirt, clean kitchen appliances and the bathroom more often, etc.
• Do not drill new walls unless the owner has specifically instructed you to do so.
• Invite the landlord for a final inspection – it is good to attend the inspection and comment together on everything.

Read your lease carefully

Do not sign anything until you have read it carefully. Emphasize small print. Emphasize the part with the termination of the contract. How long should your notice be and in what form should you hand over the apartment, should you hire a professional cleaning company or is it optional, etc.

Inform your landlord of your intention to export – orally and in writing

Be correct to the end and do everything possible to return your deposit without any problems. Make the export notification as it should be. Prepare your release decision in the form of a letter and send it to the owner’s address. There is a specific form that you can see on the internet. It is called a letter requesting a refund of the deposit.

Once you have completed this task, call him on the phone or ask for a meeting with him to tell him in person.

Regarding the letter, to be sure, always request a return receipt and make a copy, because it is a document that can be used in court if necessary. Be sure to put your current date and signature.

Eliminate minor damage on an ongoing basis.

Accept the rental home as your own and in case of any problems with an appliance, in case of accidental spills on the carpet or something else, take quick measures. Keep in mind that some problems can be eliminated if you act quickly. Otherwise, you may need to part with part of the deposit or the entire amount.

By minor damage and repairs is meant to really fix some small things. We advise you, if your appliance breaks down, the boiler refuses to work or something like that, not to try to repair it yourself. Call your landlord – he has the obligation to repair such repairs, unless you have broken something on purpose.

Here are some examples of problems to deal with:

• Paint some walls, if as a result of your life they are visibly more dirty,
• If you accidentally broke an object, look for the same or buy a similar one, you can replace some burnt out light bulbs or batteries to feel comfortable during your stay, and in the end you will make a good impression, clean instantly inadvertent spills on carpets and upholstery, as this type of cleaning is one of the most expensive, and stagnant stains are very difficult to remove.
• Clean the bathroom and toilet regularly – the more often you do it, the less mold you will need to remove. This will make the last cleaning easier.
• Keep the kitchen in good condition – do not let the oven and small appliances sink into grease and dirt.

Don’t forget to pay the rent for the last month on time.

Strictly follow all the deadlines to be a step forward if there are any problems with the return of the deposit. Make the payment even a few days in advance. Be sure to then request a receipt, a copy of the check, etc. The last rent is extremely important, as it repairs some damages, pays the bills, hires a company to re-refresh the property, etc.

Make a perfect final cleaning

This is a mandatory condition of the contract, which you must comply with in order to get your deposit back. There are two cleaning options – individually or professionally final clean. Cleaning by a company is mandatory only in the presence of such a clause – then you must provide a receipt for the service. Usually most tenants prefer this cleaning option because they do not make any commitment and sanitation is much more effective.

The specialists come in a team, equipped with the necessary machines, with ecological cleaners and protective equipment. They do not miss a single corner, they are extremely detailed in their work.

Self-cleaning will cost you a lot of time and effort. You need to prepare in advance – with the necessary detergents, vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, etc. We recommend that you start cleaning at an earlier stage and after you empty your apartment. If you have the opportunity, get helpers to save time.

Return the keys to the owner or a person authorized by him for this, with the term

Be correct to the last. Return all keys provided by the owner. Don’t forget or lose them as you move. Otherwise, it will cost him a lock change, which will most likely be accompanied by a deduction from your deposit. Don’t make this mistake and don’t let yourself get into this awkward situation. Prepare the keys for the front door, for the front door (if any), for the mailbox, etc.

Wait for the deposit to be refunded

Before taking any action, wait for the period in which your landlord has the right to provide your deposit. Many homeowners try to set things up so that they can withhold part or all of the amount. When there is no such reason, it must happen within 30 days.

If during this time you have not heard and understood about the return, look for a way to contact the landlord. The surest way is to do it in writing, in the form of the same letter – to request a deposit. Save a copy of the document and a return receipt again.

In case you do not understand each other, you should move on to the next step – to visit the court and file a civil lawsuit. The law is often on the tenant’s side and after providing the set of documents (on your part), you will get your deposit back.

Conclusion

How do all these steps sound to you – are they feasible? We don’t think it’s something you can’t handle, so take action. Break up amicably with your host, avoid disputes and go to court. In short, ensure your peace of mind by doing regular maintenance of the property in which you live for rent – for a year, two or as long as your contract.