Do You Want to Keep Your Security or Damage Deposit? Then Read This!!
RentWhiz Team
This week we’re going to talk about some of the ways tenants lose their damage or security deposit. Even though these items might seem like common sense, sometimes we get so caught up with other things that they slip our minds.
Not understanding or reviewing the lease
Most leases will contain details about the terms of the damage deposit. Although most leases are fairly standard, it’s a good idea to go over the details and make sure you understand it in full since there may be some reasons that your landlord can use to keep your damage deposit. A good lease should be easy to understand, and difficult to misunderstand, but that’s not always the case, so it helps to review it with your landlord just to be sure. We’ve heard instances of people losing their deposit because they terminated their lease early or did not give enough notice, so you might want to double check this.
Not documenting damages when you move in
It’s always a good idea to document any damages and if possible, take pictures of them before you move in. To be on the safe side, it may even be a good idea to have an independent inspection done before you move in. If you don’t have a record of the problems or damages that existed before you move in, then your landlord may hold you responsible for repairing it before you move out, and this could be a reason to keep your damage deposit.
It’s very important to report problems or damages as soon as they occur. Depending on the nature of the problem, it may impact other items within the unit, or it may impact other units within the building. The sooner your report the problem, the sooner it can get fixed and this will help minimize the overall cost of repairs. Think of it this way, when the fuel/gas light in the car goes on, it’s better to fill up as soon as possible before the car breaks down and you need to call a tow truck.
Damaging the property
This one is pretty self explanatory, but if you cause any damage to the property then it may be a reason for your landlord to keep some or all of your damage deposit, especially if you can’t prove the problem existed before you arrive.
Not paying rent in full or on time
If you don’t pay your rent in full or on time, your landlord may have the right to keep your damage deposit. As a general rule of thumb, always pay your rent on time, and if you think you may have some delays, it may be a good idea to let your landlord know. In some cases, they may give you a few days grace, especially if it’s due to unforeseen circumstances that were out of your control.
When it’s time to move out, you must clean the unit before you leave. If you don’t clean the unit thoroughly enough then your landlord may be able to keep some or all of your deposit to do any additional cleaning. Some people will hire a professional cleaning company to do any additional cleaning and most companies have a move-in/move-out cleaning option or package, so don’t be afraid to look into this if you want your place spotless.