San Antonio 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 familiar with. The majority of us, when moving out of a rental residence or apartment, are counting on the security deposit to help handle the expense of the move. That is a month or more worth of rent that could be utilized as a down payment for your new home, to replenish your depleted savings account, or to purchase furniture as well as supplies you may need subsequent to moving. In order to obtain that deposit back, you will need your property manager to have absolutely no justifications to be able to take reductions.

Presently, that is precisely what we're here to talk about. In order to make sure you get 100% of your security deposit back when you move in San Antonio this occassion, here is the plan that works for each experienced renter.

Clear Rooms Whilst Packing

It can be a popular misconception that you can only commence fixing up a house once all the items is moved out. But this is how you end up running yourself up to the final moment without time to clean or accomplish repairs. You should get started when you commence packing.

Begin with low-priority rooms and spots like the spare bedroom or your closet. When you pack, entirely clear every space, putting all your boxes in the corner or perhaps a portion of the living room. The more you get packed, the more of your residence is generally empty and thus simple to examine. This can be the most effective way to be sure you detect all problems while you still have time to take care of them.

Check Everywhere for Indicators of Damage

Do not ever think that since you have not observed any damage to the property or dwelling that the property owner won't discover any. There are many of minor things that your eyes simply never give attention to which your property owner may zero in on like a bloodhound. Scuff marks on the wall, discolorations in the flooring, nail holes, as well as wobbly fixtures can all likely become reductions to your security deposit should your landlord sees and spends money to repair them.

However, not if you discover them to begin with. Get on your inspector cap and review the property with a fine-tooth comb. Look at each and every wall for damage, every single baseboard, each individual door as well as cabinet. It is okay to depart the residence better than you found it to make sure there is nothing which will ding your security deposit as you move out.

Create a list of the stuff you notice as well as the materials you'll need to accomplish repairs.

Plug Nail Holes and Trivial Fixes

Now, carry out the maintenance tasks. Don't just recognize that they require executing. Nail holes tend to be an issue for a few property owners and if you hung anything up from paintings to curtains, you should fill them back in. Some putty or spackle can do the task and if your walls are white-colored, you may not even need a paint touch-up.

Address additional small fixes as well. The good thing is that you may order affordable repair kits for about anything online. From scrapes in the wood floor to broken cabinet doors. Oh, and consider getting a steam vapor cleaner for a day to freshen up the carpeting. If there is any areas which are especially obstinate, try a baking soda solution and ultizing a nail brush in circles on the blemish or sticky place.

Move Household Furniture by using Foot Pads and Blankets

While moving your furniture out, the very last thing you want to do is leave behind any extra dings. Moving big home furnishings could be challenging and there is always a possibility of scuffing a wall or doorway while trying to get by. And, if you can't totally lift up the items of furniture, you must keep floor surfaces protected from scrapes and scratches.

Luckily, this answer is simple: Blankets and foot padding. Regarding pieces of furniture that you intend to push a part of the way, make sure there are felt floor protectors stuck on or, in a pinch, washrags attached with rubber bands around the feet. Regarding edges as well as doors, all you need to do is cover the perimeters of your pieces of furniture in towels or maybe blankets to circumvent a scrape.

Don't Leave Things Behind in San Antonio

Deserted belongings are one of the more frequent reasons for security deposit controversies. Never leave a pile of items which didn't fit into your car. If you do, the property owner is A) obligated to verify and see if you need it and B) is stuck with the bill for cleaning it out.

Although they could very well pitch or donate the items, most likely the property manager will pay for a junk company to come get it and after that charge the fee to your security deposit. To prevent this, invest time to clear absolutely all your own things out of the house prior to leaving.

Get Pictures of Everything

Moving tip take picturesAlmost all landlords are great private property owners just turning their properties into a friendly type of profit. However a few may be attempting to find any manner to pull additional money out of tenants.

In these infrequent cases, landlords are recognized to state problems which weren't present or perhaps cause and photograph the issues themselves after a tenant moves out. All just to take a little or all of their security deposit. Hence, such as a renting pro, the best choice is to snap photos of your own prior to when you hand over the keys.

Consequently, on your last day after the property is completely empty, go on a comprehensive photo-snapping excursion in the house. Incorporating both sides of every door and the interiors of closets and cabinets. Make it clear that the residence was in near-perfect order when you left in the event that any type of questions arise later concerning 'damage' you didn't induce.

Surrender the Key Correctly

Certain landlords are particularly picky concerning giving back the keys, and some won't be. Particularly if you mistakenly take a key away with you when you vacate the premises.

Property managers that are fussy regarding keys might also be likely to charge you for a new key or even for the price of replacing the locks. This would be an unnecessary purpose to waste a part of your security deposit, therefore ensure that you give the key over precisely the way the owner requires.

Give a Forwarding Address

Lastly, make sure that you supply your property manager a forwarding address. This is the official way they will contact you to mail the security deposit along with their report on violations if and when they actually do somehow locate a problem with the property or apartment you just moved out of.

So always, always, always give your landlord a forwarding address to be able to get your deposit and take care of all documentation in case they try to pull a trick to keep some of your money.

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The majority of property owners usually are extremely reasonable, good folks that want to give your security deposit back in full. Using these tactics, it is possible to move out of your rental leaving it in near-perfect condition, and you'll find that deposit comfortably back in your bank account before you know it. And, if the landlord does try a little bit of shenanigans, then you already know that the property was in great condition and can dispute readily with photos to demonstrate it.

Here At A-1 Freeman Moving Group, we have helped customers with absolutely all kinds of moves in San Antonio, from local to long-distance to international residential moving. And in our over 40 years in business, we've figured out more than a few tactics and secret tips for minimizing the hassle of this tiring and time-consuming moving process. For more great tips to move like a pro, contact us today!

 

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