How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

When you rent out a property, you need to put down a security deposit. Often, this will be around six weeks worth of your rent. However, it can differ depending on your landlord and the property management agency you use. No matter how much your security deposit was, one thing you will want to do is make sure that it is returned to you in full at the end of your rental term. Considering that, below, we are going to take you through some of the different things that you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting your security deposit back. 

1. Make sure the inventory is correct

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that the inventory is correct. This is something you should do from the moment you move into the property. If the inventory or move in check sheet does not contain some of the defects that the property currently has, you could be blamed for them at the end of your rental term, even though they were not your fault. For example, if one of the handles on a cabinet has been broken, yet this is not in the checklist, make sure that it is put in so you can’t be blamed for this. Another really great way to document the condition of the unit is to take time stamped photos on the day you receive keys for the property.

2. Hire a move out cleaning company

Aside from making sure the inventory is correct, it is a good idea to hire a cleaning company that can ensure that your property is sparkling. There are a lot of cleaning companies that provide move out cleaning services. However, I recommend you ask the property manager who they use and hire them. This will make sure that your property is cleaned from top to bottom; and if not the property manager knows who to contact to come back free of charge. You can be sure that no stone will be left unturned when it comes to making sure that the property looks in immaculate condition.

3. Have your carpets cleaned by professional cleaning services

On a final note, don’t clean the carpets yourself! Always going for the cheapest service isn’t always the best. Often times when a tenant rents a machine and cleans the carpet themselves, the landlord has to hire a professional to go back over it. In the long run, you will save money if you use a professional. 

To conclude, if you are coming toward the end of your tenancy or you are simply wondering about what will happen when the end of your tenancy comes close, consider the advice that we have mentioned above to help you get your security deposit back. I would also ask your landlord for a list of what they expect. 

The key here is to make sure that you hand back the property in the condition that it was given to you. If you do not believe that your landlord is being fair when it comes to the security deposit, you should be able to raise this with your property management company. I would recommend you call and ask them the preferred way to dispute a charge. Then have your proof ready. If a manager charged a fee in error, that should be corrected immediately.

If you are looking for a property management company in Bend that always goes above and beyond for you, give us a call today. We aren’t the biggest, just the best.