Cleaning Hacks To Get Your Security Deposit Back

[@freedominabudget]

Blog post to dig further into this topic: freedominabudget.com/how-to-get-your-security-deposit-back-when-you-rent/

[@truneilson]

Take photos! This has saved me tons of money. On apartment I did a walk thru and they said "I cant believe you lived here for 2 years. It still looks brand new!" Then they tried to charge me my full deposit until I said "I'd love to go to court and show a judge my photos." 24 hours later I had a full refund.

[@freedominabudget]

WOW!! Thats so crazy!! I'm so glad they backed down and gave you your deposit back! :)

[@truneilson]

@@freedominabudget I was young, about 23. Two other friends had moved from the same complex and both had nearly their whole deposits stolen from them. It gave me time to think about my exit strategy.

[@freedominabudget]

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, but I'm glad you were able to think of an exit plan!

[@BrigitteCoffman]

@@truneilson - I never give verbal answers, when I return their deposit. I put in in writing and they will get it back within 30 days of move out date. I have NEVER backed down from my promise! ESP. when left in *move in condition* . Also, *move in condition* , varies, on how long they lived there. If over 5-6 years, I don't expect walls, blinds, carpets to be in move in condition. Does that make sense? Brigitte in Tulsa Oklahoma

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

One potential problem is even winning in court may not get the deposit back....especially if landlord is in a different state than rental, so small claims judgement does not help when the landlord ignores it...a bank sweep does not help with landlord in different state, a lien on the property does not help if the landlord is not selling for years. Tenant never gets the security deposit.

[@MjayMuah]

Very helpful run through! Especially the painter tape spackle. I'd also like to share that those "magic eraser" sponges are *VERY HELPFUL!* when cleaning walls from smudges and marks and other things around the apartment too!

[@freedominabudget]

Yes! I love magic erasers!!

[@lynmorris3453]

It's so helpful knowing that it's possible to buy new drip pans for stoves - both my previous place and my current place, I can definitely say those have seen better days. Regarding damage/repairs, I try to communicate that sort of thing via email as much as possible in addition to taking photos when necessary - email gives you that proof that they were notified.

[@freedominabudget]

Oh yes!! I document EVERYTHING via email!! :)

[@shonah2974]

As a landlord I need to show this to all our property renters !!

[@freedominabudget]

Yes!! It’s really in their best interest because they are getting more money back! I also have a blog post on the topic, as a landlord, I’d love your feedback and suggestions!

[@shonah2974]

@@freedominabudget yes I'll read it soon . Honestly after 10+ year of renting 4 properties we have only given 2 their full refund. And we are to lenient some times

[@freedominabudget]

Oh wow! What is the most common reasons that you deduct from a security deposit?

[@shonah2974]

@@freedominabudget mostly damage to the property. We had someone that flooded the house , someone that had holes in the wall not from pictures and the worse was someone that tore the house apart.

[@laurent1163]

As a landlord you're sneaky for watching this and I don't trust you

[@guyelluzzi2705]

Great Video from the tenant's perspective. Bottom line is that you want to leave the apartment at least as good as it was when you moved in if you want a full security refund. It's also important for the Landlord and tenant to set clear expectations up front to avoid misunderstandings on move out.

[@bridezorko9031]

Great tips! We’re currently moving and our landlords are conveniently “forgetting” to input our maintenance requests into their system. Our stove is from the 80s as well as our entire kitchen I’m afraid they are going to charge us for the decrepit state they have been in since our move in. We moved in they refused to let us see the place before we sign the lease And we were not provided a checklist to document any existing damage.

[@GordaBGone]

I'm in the same situation. Can you provide any insight on how everything worked out for you? Ive been in this old apartment for 12 years. I don't want to be charges for these failing appliances from the 90s

[@gp8089]

Eggshell, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah is my favorite shade at Sherwin Williams! 😂😂

[@freedominabudget]

LOL!!! I have been on a gray kick!! :)

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

One potential problem is even winning in court may not get the deposit back....especially if landlord is in a different state than rental, so small claims judgement does not help when the landlord ignores it...a bank sweep does not help with landlord in different state, a lien on the property does not help if the landlord is not selling for years. Tenant never gets the security deposit

[@SaraDeux]

Thank you for sharing this video. Full of tips and well detailed. Renters will always benefit from these types of videos 😊

[@PassiveIncomeTom]

Thanks for sharing this Kelly and going into details!👍

[@freedominabudget]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@didocomeback]

Love your walk through tip. ;)

[@freedominabudget]

Glad it was helpful!

[@randomgoodstuff5516]

Hi, We are moving out our apartment and we hanged some stuff on the walls. Can the landlord sue us for doing the spackle / filling of the nail holes and the touch up paint ourselves?

[@karlatyson12]

I do a lot of my own repairs but my apartments get upset when you don’t call the maintenance man that never shows up lol I put my notice in and no one in the leasing office is replying I’m keeping documents of everything

[@cindylopez7471]

This is SO helpful!!

[@freedominabudget]

I’m so glad! Thank you for watching!!

[@didocomeback]

The first walkthrough w landlord should be a month a head? A week ahead? Two months ahead? Your answer will greatly help! Thank you!

[@freedominabudget]

i would recommend about a month a head of time.

[@WithinPremises]

thanks for sharing these!!

[@freedominabudget]

Thank you for watching! :)

[@musicnature3695]

getting charged for not repainting a wall? isnt that considered normal wear and tear under the law

[@freedominabudget]

No I don’t believe so because it’s not the original color it was given to you in.

[@xcen22cal3]

@@freedominabudget okay got you . Mine is in the original color paint

[@bobmilleit1976]

Replace drip pans even if you only lived for a year?

[@taylorwilliams1033]

Ok so I have some tears in the carpet in my apartment due to it being super cheap carpet and poorly installed. My apartment manager wants to charge me for it and say it is “pet damage” which it’s not. What can I do???

[@freedominabudget]

Hi Taylor! I'm so sorry to hear that! Did you pay a pet deposit? I would come back and say that the pet deposit that you paid would cover that minor damage, thats what its for! :)

[@GigiKiggs]

So my apartment situation is a bit unique. My landlord did an emergency move in to this unit from a different unit that was infested with bed bugs! I never did a pre walk through for this apartment. There was quite a few things that I noticed were wrong but I didn't take any pictures ( 1st apartment, didn't know any better). It was obvious I moved into this unit before it was remodeled. All the walls, the bathroom, and doors have like 6 layers of paint on them. There are plenty of dips, chips, peels, and deep gashes that were painted to masked appearance. Even the shower and tub were painted to look clean. I realized that when I used bleach to disinfect the tub and all the paint came up. I am positive they are going to gut this apartment after I leave. As they have remodeled every unit that has been recently vacated. Is there hope in getting my deposit back? What shall I do?

[@tracypaletti5880]

You don’t get sec dep reduced for “old things”- just for damage.

[@andi1968heygurlhey]

Good stuff

[@tabbykathy8119]

Hard to be up to "Their" standards. My landlord is so shady , my apartment is built in 80's barely anything updated. Old wall ac/heater. Backyard old wood fence between me and neighbor is so noticeably old and collapsing, said she would replace when we moved in and still nothing. And now electrical wires on roof are cutting power in and out constantly, smud says is old and deteriorated need replacement. Does anyone help help/guides for help with shady landlords?

[@freedominabudget]

Oh goodness that's tough! Any chance you took pictures or video when you moved in?

[@melanieathwal4038]

Sounds like a fire hazard, report to the fire department. Check the landlord/ tenant laws for your area. Most cities have tenant advocacy organizations. As as landlord myself, I wouldn’t rent anything I’m not willing to live in myself. If you decide to move, ask how your landlord feels about that!

[@armydiariesjd5044]

Hi what can I do if I get bleach on my carpet ?

[@freedominabudget]

Oh man thats tough!

[@vaneremyroy1]

Is a worn out toilet seat cover considered normal wear & tear?

[@mandieeleaver3321]

I wish I had taken more pictures.

[@MzCrayKray]

I know this was years ago but I have a question. In my state the law requires the carpet to be changed every 5 years. I moved in 10 years ago. The carpet clearly has not been changed. Now the carpet is definitely damaged from living here a decade, plus damage from pets, and kids. It cannot be repaired. About 4 years ago I put in a request to have my carpets replace after learning that was a thing. They told me the waiting list was a year long. For years later no new carpet. I let it slide the past few years because of the pandemic. At this point they let two 5 year cycles pass without replace the carpet. Can they still keep my deposit because due to damages?

[@sandyseibelhager7131]

We've never been allowed to paint an apartment.

[@freedominabudget]

Oh interesting! We always have been able to as long as we paint it back but honestly it was never worth it to us to paint.

[@koreypaul6698]

I've painted my apartment and they took a few hundred off my rent. Loved the paint job.

[@AmyRigsbyPhoto]

My apartment doesn’t like to fix anything. They literally just spray paint over. I’m so worried I won’t get it back.

[@freedominabudget]

Oh no! Take video and pictures so protect yourself!

[@andi1968heygurlhey]

Also if you can afford it hire professional cleaners.

[@MorelifeMu5ic]

Friends spoiler alert

[@freedominabudget]

Lol! Such a good scene!