Deposit Frustration

 Deposits can be a very sore subject for residents and landlords.  Residents complain about having their deposit unfairly withheld and landlords complain of not having enough deposit to cover the damages.  These are some steps to help avoid having deposit unfairly withheld!

1. Sign a checklist and/or take pictures of the apartment/house BEFORE you move in.  A signed agreement is best.
2. Request a cleaning checklist from the landlord or the property manager.
3. Ask about a cleaning fee or a carpet cleaning fee is to be held after the termination of the lease.  This should also be evident in the contract.
4. Follow all terms in the lease.  A broken lease is almost always grounds for forfeiture of deposit.
5. Don't make repairs yourself: Many times people will make repairs to save money.  Often times, this costs more money to repair because the landlord/manager has to "re-fix" the problem.  The best solution is to talk to your landlord/manager about the most cost effective solution.  
6. Leave plenty of time for cleaning.  Even after a short time it can be surprising how much dinge can build up in and around toilets, on baseboards, mini blinds, stoves, etc.  Refer back to your checklist.  Moving takes so much time and involves so much stress.  Leave time for cleaning.
7. Refer to checklist or pictures: Look back to your checklist and/or pictures from before you moved in.  Leave the apartment in as good as or better condition than when you arrived.
8. Review: Once you think your are done cleaning, walk through and review details.  Details that are often forgotten are clean blinds, clean floor under stove and fridge, tracks on windows.
9. Don't: Ignore problems.  Sometimes people will ignore cleaning because they have done damage.  People that do this, typically end up with a huge bill after they move out.  You are better off to do what you can and just be upfront with your landlord or manager.

Other things to keep in mind: Contract maintenance and cleaning is very expensive.  Many times, just to have a contractor show up can cost $50-$100.  Even if all a tenant does is forget one item it can be relatively expensive.
You should receive your statement and check within 21 days of proper termination of the lease.  If you haven't receive received a statement or a check within 30 days make a phone call or write a letter.  If you think your deposit has a mistake write a letter and specify the mistake(s) made.