When you move into a rental, you pay a security deposit with the hope that the landlord returns most of it to you when your lease is over. However, many tenants find it more difficult than they thought it would be to get their money back. Although landlords can’t charge you for normal wear and tear, they will deduct if the unit was left damaged or you didn’t perform a thorough move-out cleaning. As such, you should know what to do to avoid losing your deposit. Here are a few tips for making sure you’re refunded. 

How to Successfully Recover Your Security Deposit

1. Review Your Lease

Once you know you’ll be moving, review your lease to confirm how far in advance your landlord requires notification. A 30-day notice is standard, but some places require at least 60 days. You should ensure you follow the proper guidelines as a courtesy to your landlord and prevent an unintentional forfeiture of your deposit. Your lease will also specify what your responsibilities are when moving out.

2. Ask for a Walkthrough

After packing up the bulk of your belongings, ask to do a walkthrough with your landlord. This process is an unofficial inspection that allows you to identify your landlord’s expectations. Having them point out which areas you should deep clean and fix tells you exactly where to focus your efforts.

3. Hire a Move-Out Cleaning Service

Cleaning your rental should involve much more than vacuuming and wiping down the countertops. Save yourself time knowing every inch of space has been meticulously scrubbed by hiring a move-out cleaning service. They’ll go from room to room to ensure you don’t miss anything, so your landlord won’t have any grievances. 

4. Repair Minor Damages

Taking care of small repairs makes a significant difference in how much of your deposit the landlord will return. Fill in any nail holes you put in the walls, change burnt out light bulbs, replace broken blinds, and cover up scratches in hardwood flooring. If you had permission to paint, you should also repaint the walls to their original color. 

For help improving your chances of getting your security deposit back, turn to Angel Dusting & Sweeping. They offer high-quality and efficient move-out cleanings for residents throughout the northern Minneapolis, MN, area. Their experience and attention to detail are what you need to ensure every room in your rental is spotless when you leave. Call (612) 430-7454 to request a free job estimate, or visit them online to learn more about the services they provide.