Tulsa and Oklahoma City Moving Blog - Tips, Tricks, and Insider Info
February 09, 2019

Moving Out: Tips to Get Back Your Entire Security Deposit

Moving OutBy Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Moving out of a rental is truly one of those situations that just about everyone seems to be experienced with. The majority of us, whenever moving out of a rental residence or apartment, are banking on the security deposit to help manage the expense of the move. That is a month or more of rent that may be used as a down payment for your new place, to recover your used up savings account, or to pay for furniture and items you will need subsequent to moving. And to get that deposit returned, you'll need your landlord to have absolutely no reasons to take reductions.

Currently, that's exactly what we are here to discuss. If you'd like to make sure you get 100% of your security deposit back when you move in Tulsa and Oklahoma City this occassion, the following is the routine which performs for virtually every expert renter.

Clear Rooms When Packing

It can be a prevalent myth that you may only commence fixing up a house after all your belongings is moved out. However this is the way you end up driving yourself to the last day devoid of time to clean or accomplish repairs. You can get on track when you commence packing.

Start out with less used rooms and places such as the spare bedroom or maybe your closet. When you pack, entirely clear out each area, piling all your boxes in one corner or maybe a portion of the family room. The more you box up, the more of your residence should be empty and so simple to scrutinize. This is the most effective way to be sure you take note of all problems when you still have time to deal with them.

Investigate Everywhere for Indications of Damage

Do not ever assume that while you have not observed any damage to the house or apartment that your property owner will not come across any. There are a variety of little things that your eyes just never focus on which your property owner could zero in on like a bloodhound. Scratches on your wall, stains in the carpet, nail holes, and loose fixtures may potentially end up being reductions on your security deposit in case your landlord locates and spends money to take care of them.

However, not if you locate them to begin with. Put on your inspector cap and review the house using a fine-tooth brush. Inspect each and every wall for damages, every single baseboard, each individual door and cabinet. It is alright to depart the house better than when you moved in to ensure there is nothing that will ding your security deposit once you move out.

Make a list of everything you notice as well as the materials you need to perform repairs.

Fill Nail Holes and Trivial Fixes

Following, accomplish the fixes. Don't merely notice that they need executing. Nail holes will be a problem for some property owners and in case you put anything up from pictures to curtains, you'll want to fill them back in. A little bit of putty or spackle will do the trick and if your walls are white, you may not even need a paint touch-up.

Address additional modest maintenance tasks too. The good thing is that you may buy cheap repair kits for about anything online. From scuff marks in the wood flooring to squeaky cupboard drawers. Oh, and think about reserving a steam cleaner for a day to clean up the flooring. Should there be any areas that happen to be exceptionally persistent, try out a baking soda solution and making use of a nail brush in circles on the blemish or sticky place.

Move Furniture by using Foot Pads and Blankets

When moving your pieces of furniture out, the last thing you want to do is leave behind any further dings. Moving large furniture can be tricky and there's constantly a chance of scuffing a wall or doorway whilst trying to get through. And, should you not completely lift the furniture, you want to keep floor surfaces safe from scuff marks and scratches.

Luckily, this answer is rather simple: Blankets as well as foot padding. Regarding furniture that you're planning to slide a part of the way, be sure it has felt floor protectors stuck on or, in a pinch, wash cloths secured with rubber bands around the feet. As for edges along with doors, all you need to do is cover the sides of the home furnishings in towels or maybe blankets to prevent a scrape.

Don't Leave Things Behind in Tulsa and Oklahoma City

Deserted things are one of the most general reasons for security deposit controversies. Never leave a heap of items that failed to fit into your vehicle. In case you do, your property owner is A) responsible to check and see if you need it and B) is stuck with the costs for cleaning it out.

Whilst they may possibly toss or donate the items, most likely the landlord is going to pay a trash company to come collect it then invoice the expense to your security deposit. To avoid this, make time to remove absolutely all of your personal things out of the home in advance of departure.

Get Pictures of Everything

Moving tip take picturesMost landlords are excellent private property owners just transforming their investments into a advantageous type of income. Just a few may be trying to find any way to wring extra cash out of tenants.

In these infrequent cases, property managers are recognized to claim damages that were never present or perhaps create and photograph the issues themselves after a renter departs. All merely to take a little or their entire security deposit. Consequently, like a renting pro, the best option is to snap photos of your own right before you hand over the keys.

And so, on your last day after the property is wholly vacant, take a total photo-snapping expedition in the house. Including both sides of every door and the insides of closets plus cabinets. Make it clear that the property was in exceptional condition when you left in case that any kind of questions surface down the road concerning 'damage' you didn't induce.

Give Over the Key Correctly

Some property managers are extremely fussy pertaining to handing back the property keys, but some won't be. Particularly if you inadvertently take a key with you when you leave.

Landlords that happen to be picky regarding keys might also be inclined to charge you for a new key or perhaps for the price of replacing the locks. This would be a pointless reason to forfeit a portion of your security deposit, consequently be sure to give the key back exactly the way the owner requires.

Supply a Forwarding Address

Finally, remember to give your landlord a forwarding address. This is usually the formal means they'll contact you to mail the security deposit and their report on violations if they actually do somehow locate something wrong with the residence or apartment you just moved out of.

So always, always, always give your property manager a forwarding address to help you get the deposit and handle all paperwork in case they attempt to pull a stunt to keep a portion of your cash.

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Most property owners really are entirely practical, good folks that would like to give your security deposit back in full. With these tips, you'll be able to move out of your rental leaving it in excellent condition, and you should see that deposit comfortably back in your account in no time. And additionally, if your property owner does consider a few shenanigans, then you know that the dwelling was in fantastic condition and can challenge effectively using pics to prove it.

Here At A-1 Freeman Moving Group, we've assisted customers with utterly all types of moves in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, from local to long-distance to international residential moving. And in our four decades in operation, we have figured out numerous strategies and secret approaches for reducing the hassle of this tiring and time-consuming moving process. For additional great tips to move like a master, contact us now!

 

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