Moving out of an apartment is no fun. It is tiring, boxes inevitably get mislabeled, and you almost always end up dealing with lower back pain for a few days after you finish. On top of all the logistical headaches, moving out of an apartment also comes with the additional stress of the looming security deposit and whether or not you’ll get it back. That deposit often goes towards a deposit at your next home (or at least a couple trips to HomeGoods!,) so it is extremely important that you take all necessary steps to ensure that money hits your bank account. Below are a few steps to take to ensure you get to see that deposit.
1. Take a damage inventory in each room
Before you start making trips to Home Depot, you need to have a really clear picture of what you are working with and what may need to be fixed. Go through each room of your apartment and make a very detailed list of any and all damages, marks, and scuffs that you see. If you’re unsure whether or not it would count against you, add it to the list. This is a scenario where it is certainly better to cover any and all bases rather than assuming you’ll be in the clear!
2. Scrub those walls
The walls of your house are bound to have some marks on them by the time you move out, but you don’t necessarily need to jump straight to a fresh paint job! Before you whip out your brushes, spend some time wiping the walls down, focusing specifically on any large stains. You can often get most of the marks removed without the need actually to paint.
3. Deep clean the carpets
There are plenty of spot-stain removers and generic rug cleaners out there, but to help ensure you get that deposit back, you want actually to do an in-depth cleaning treatment on the carpet. It is generally a multi-step process but can end up saving you a lot of money!
4. Hire a cleaning service
Although there is something nice about a little DIY elbow grease, there is also something to be said for going straight to the professionals and hiring a cleaning service before your apartment gets inspected. Not only are they in the cleaning business for a reason, but these folks also come with some cleaning products and solutions that aren’t always found in your local stores. Once you are packed and ready to go, have a cleaning service come in for a few hours and give the place one final scrub. It is well worth the money!
Moving will unfortunately be a bit of a hassle, but getting your deposit back shouldn’t be. In fact, look at it as a reward for a job well done! Follow these steps, and you can be sure to be seeing that hard earned money back in your bank account.