4 Tips To Make Sure You Get Your Security Deposit Back

A security deposit is money held in trust during a leasing agreement to protect the property owner against monetary losses caused by damage to the rental property. Nowadays, most apartment complexes require residents to pay a security deposit as part of their leasing agreement. Fortunately, when residents adhere to their lease and avoid damaging their apartments, they can get their security deposit back at the end of their lease agreement. Below, the folks at Contemporary Management Concepts, LLLP, share a few tips to help ensure you get your security deposit back!

Looking for apartments in Florida? Contemporary Management Concepts, LLLP, offers stylish and spacious apartments for rent in Florida. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our Florida apartments!

Read Your Lease

Reading your lease to gain an understanding of its rules and terms is the best way to ensure getting your security deposit back. Before signing a lease, carefully read and don’t be afraid to review the document whenever you have questions or concerns about your apartment. While most of the information in your lease will be obvious — such as leaving the apartment in good condition — there may also be some addendums you weren’t expecting, such as requirements to paint walls back to their original color, fill in any holes, and more.

Document The Apartment’s Condition

The last thing you want is to lose a portion of your security deposit due to pre-existing damage in your apartment at the time of move-in. Accordingly, it’s important to document the condition of your apartment when you first move in. Take pictures and videos of any existing damage, such as dents, cracks, faulty appliances, water damage/stains, and so on. However, if you document existing damages in your apartment, ensure the evidence is clearly marked with the date.

Repair Any Damage

During a leasing agreement ranging anywhere from months to years, it’s only natural your apartment will suffer some wear and tear. Before moving out, on top of making any required repairs and thoroughly cleaning your apartment, repair any damage while living there. Repairing damages can save you money since your apartment complex won’t have to subtract labor, supply, and repair costs from your security deposit.

Return Your Keys

Amidst all the other urgent and time-consuming tasks with moving out of an apartment, it’s easy to forget the small things, such as returning your keys to the leasing office. Forgetting to return your keys could result in your apartment complex charging you for a replacement key and lock. Avoid forgetting to return your keys by setting a reminder on your smartphone or by writing a reminder on a sticky note and putting it on your door so you see it on the way out.