Moving is usually stressful, but you can help yourself a little by making sure you get your security deposit back. There are a number f things you can do to help leave your rental in tip top shape and ensure that you have that 'extra; money coming your way.

1. Thoroughly clean the refrigerator and oven. The new tenants will probably do this, of course, but if you leave anything in these it can be grounds for the landlord to keep your deposit for cleaning costs. Do this early, especially the oven, so that the odors are gone before you leave.
2. Patch all holes, even the tiniest picture nail holes, in your walls. Spackle and sand so that you can feel or see that there was ever a hole there. This is one of the banes of landlords--tiny holes all over the walls when someone leaves.
3. Paint, if you're allowed. Paint the walls the color they were originally if you've changed them, or just put a fresh coat on to spiff them up and cover any mars that have occurred while you lived there.
4. Clean everything thoroughly. This means everything, including corners, baseboards and nooks and crannies, along with the big things like toilet, tub and floors. Wash anything that's fabric that has to stay behind and dust thoroughly.
5. Be sure you remove everything when you leave no matter how helpful you might think it will be to someone else. Then after everything's gone, go over the floors one last time to leave it sparkling.
6. Be sure you turn in keys not just to your apartment or house, but to the main door if you have one.
7. Schedule a time for your landlord to go through the area with you so that you can show them the cleanliness you've left and they're aware of it. This step is probably the most important in making sure you get your deposit back, because you've made it clear that you want and deserve it.

Photo Credits: longlostcousin

Originally posted 2010-02-01 14:23:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Clean, House Paint, Refrigerator, Renting, Toilet

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apartment, banes, baseboards, cleanliness, extra money, fabric, landlord, landlords, last time, nail holes, nooks and crannies, Refrigerator, security deposit, shape, tiny holes, tip top, Toilet