6 Tips To Make Sure You Get Your Security Deposit Back

6 Vital Tips

You're moving out of your rental property with a big smile on your face. After all, you've kept the property in good condition, paid all your bills on time, and not created any problems with the landlord. What could go wrong? Plenty. The following are six ways that you can reduce the chances of losing your security deposit to the landlord.

Review Your Lease

Reading your lease in its entirety will help you have a clear understanding of what you will be responsible for, as well as any rules your landlord may have. Be sure to see if your lease has any addendums, such as: filling in nail holes, having the carpets cleaned or repainting walls.

Conduct a Thorough Check

Before moving in conduct a walk through and look for any damages that may be present and document them. It is helpful to record this walk through with video and pictures. Email the landlord with documentation of any findings. When inspecting the apartment you should check:

• Cabinets and counters for dents and scratches
• Doors for loose knobs or blemishes
• Walls/floors for dents or scratches
• Carpets for any stains or odors

Know Your Legal Rights

A landlord cannot legally withhold your security deposit without giving you a valid reason. In Massachusetts, a landlord must return a tenant’s security deposit and any interest, minus any portion rightfully subtracted, within 30 days after a tenant moves out.

Take Extra Precautions

Easily prevent scuffs on the floor and putting nail holes in the walls by buying hooks with sticky tacks to hang pictures and putting felt under furniture.

Clean Before You Leave

Taking the time to clean the apartment prior to moving out will help ensure you receive your whole security deposit back. This can include removing stains in carpeting, scuffs on the walls and floors and dirt off the baseboards.

Leaving a Forwarding Address

Lastly, before you depart and cut ties with your landlord, make sure you gave them a proper forwarding address where they can mail you your security deposit.

Be Patient But Remain Vigilant

Everyone, understandably, wants to receive their security deposit immediately. However, you also don’t want to pester your landlord while they’re assessing your apartment of any potential damages - therefore, it is wise to be remain calm for the first couple weeks. That being said, if the 30 day mark starts approaching and you’ve yet to hear from your landlord then reach out and kindly ask what the status is on your security deposit.