How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

People do strange things – often stupid things. A simple search of “outrageous apartment damage” brought up at least two pages of links regarding apartment fires and, subsequently, mass destruction to the building.  With this in mind, here is a short list of what not to do if you want to maintain that glimmer of hope in getting your security deposit back.

What Not to Do!

Set the apartment on fire

Smoke inside the apartment

Use the carpet as an ashtray

Set fireworks off inside the apartment

Try to deep-fry a turkey in the apartment

Get drunk and punch holes in the walls

Rip the blinds off of the windows

Break mirrors or windows due to raucous behavior

Neglect to clean until the last day of occupation

Let grease or mold develop

Break shelves or drawers in the kitchen or bathroom

Tear screens due to misuse

Let garbage pile up

Let dishes sit to the point of forming new life inside the sink

Be a hoarder of any kind

Have a pet cow

Have a pet pig

Have any kind of farm-based animal occupying the rental space

Hold a food fight and never clean up afterward

Neglect to ever flush the toilet

Neglect to clean the bathroom on a regular basis

Let the bathtub overflow and leak into the downstairs apartment

Have a bubble party inside the apartment

Use a slip n’ slide inside the apartment

Obviously some of these are a tad on the extreme side, but again, people do strange things – the pet cow would be interesting. Regardless, if you want to really strive to get your security deposit back, consider these simple, sensible tips:

Pre-Move In

Read Your Lease Carefully

Know the Law

Inspect Thoroughly & Take Photos

During Occupation

Report Damages Immediately

Keep the Rental in Good Condition

Document Your Improvements

Pre-Move Out

Fix any Changes or Damages

Clean Thoroughly

Meet With Your Landlord

A Stubborn Landlord?

Nolo.com says:

If you’re unhappy with your landlord’s deductions, you don’t get an itemization, or the landlord broke state security deposit law in some other way, try to work something out. If you come to an agreement—perhaps the landlord will return some of your deposit if you do additional cleaning—put it in writing and sign it. The agreement is a legal contract, and if the landlord fails to honor it, you can go to small claims court.

You can also send them a demand letter. The letter should include:

A concise review of the facts and the reasons you believe your landlord owes you money.

Copies of all relevant letters, emails and agreements.

The details of your demand—such as the full deposit within ten days, Nolo says.

Citations of state security deposit law.