If possible, do the walk-through with your landlord and have her sign off on your notes. If she is not available bring along a friend so there is another witness to the condition of the property. [2] X Research source Being clear and unequivocal at this stage can make the resolution of any issues with your deposit when you leave much easier. Sometimes your landlord might give you an inventory of items, such as furniture and furnishings. Be sure to look through this and check it matches to what is actually in the house.
Ovens. Cleaning your oven on a regular basis will help keep it free from greasy build-up on the walls and burnt crumbs and spills on the bottom. Ovens should be cleaned at least twice a year by following the manufacturer’s directions for using the self-cleaning cycle. If your oven does not have a self-cleaning cycle, clean it manually by following the directions on a can of oven cleaner. Flooring. Regular cleaning helps prevent stains and keeps your floors from becoming dingy in appearance. Carpeting should be vacuumed, and other floors swept and mopped, once a week. Windows. Wash windowsills and window frames with soap and hot water every two to three months, clean windowpanes with glass cleaner at least once a month, and take down window treatments for cleaning at least twice a year. Paint and wall coverings. Walls should be wiped down with soap and water at least twice a year to prevent fading and yellowing. You may need to wipe down your walls more frequently if you smoke or have young children. A fresh coat of washable paint can make this task a much easier one! Bathroom fixtures. Scrub the tub and sink, as well as the toilet bowl, once a week to help cut down on lime and soap scum build up and keep bathroom fixtures from staining.
Most residential leases require a tenant to make all minor repairs and report all major ones to the landlord in a timely manner. Check your lease to see which repairs are your responsibility and which are your landlord’s. Take care of those that are yours right away, and report all others to your landlord immediately. Clogs and minor leaks should be repaired and properly cleaned up right away. Water damage and mold growth due to lack of basic plumbing maintenance can wind up being the responsibility of the tenant. It varies by state, so look up your local laws. Generally, if the cause of the mold is structural it is the landlords responsibility, but be sure to inform them of the mold. [4] X Research source Cleaning air filters and ductwork. Furnaces and air conditioning units should be maintained according the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are unsure how to maintain your unit, check the manufacturer’s website or ask your landlord for information and recommendations.
Always make a copy of your notice letter and send it by registered mail. After you have sent it, speak to your landlord personally to ensure that there is no problem. It’s important to keep copies of these documents as you will need them as evidence if there is a dispute. [6] X Research source
Keep in mind the condition of the property when you moved in. You should be leaving it as you found it. Leaving a beautifully cleaned property will make the best impression on your landlord when they come to inspect it. It’s a good idea to contact your landlord first to confirm her expectations for the cleaning in order to avoid under or over cleaning. [7] X Research source
Take lots of photographs and be sure that your photographs are clear and large enough to show the details. You may want to consider using a digital or film camera instead of your cell phone, if your phone does not take high quality pictures. [8] X Research source Do a walk-through of the property with a video camera rolling. Keep in mind that whoever actually shoots the video may need to be available if you sue your landlord and need to use the video in court, so you may wish to act as the camera-man yourself. Complete a move-out checklist as a written record of the condition of the property when you left and make copies.
In some states there are laws which require the landlord to notify you when they will conduct the inspection and offer you the chance to be there, but this is not the case for every state so be sure to check your local regulations. [10] X Research source
Make sure you keep extra copies of all your records of the condition of the property. You will need them if there is a dispute with the landlord.
Find your State’s website. Many states websites may be found by typing the state’s postal code plus “. gov” into your browser’s address bar, for example, Indiana’s website is located at in. gov and Arizona’s at az. gov. Try it! Most state’s websites will contain the official state code or a link to the code on another reputable website. Run a Search. Run a search at your favorite search engine for “YOUR STATE state code”. For example, to find California’s state code, you would search “California state code” or to find North Dakota’s code, you would search “North Dakota state code”. You can also use an online database to access information on your state’s laws. [12] X Research source
State what will happen if the deadline passes without the return of your deposit. Giving someone a deadline by which to do something means little without a clear explanation of what will happen if the deadline passes. Be specific about what you will do if your deposit is not returned, for example, “if I do not receive my deposit within 10 days of the date of this letter, I will be forced to take legal action to recover it. ” Mail it by certified mail. Certified mail provides you with legal proof that the landlord received your letter. Keep the return receipt with your copy of the letter. [14] X Research source There are website that can help you construct an appropriate demand letter. [15] X Research source
Be sure you have the receipt and bank records to show that you paid the deposit when you moved in. Gather together your bank statements to prove that you always paid the rent and are not in arrears to your landlord. Compile all your records of the condition of the property before you moved in and when you moved out. This should include all the photographs and inventory checklists you have. Be as thorough as possible.
The letter should very clearly state the amount of your deposit and when and how you paid it. Include copies of receipts to evidence this. If you are disputing deductions your landlord wants to make to your deposit, you should clearly set out why you object to these. Set a clear deadline for a response. There is no fixed amount of time you should give them, but 14 days is reasonable.
For information on filing a small claim in your area, visit your County Court’s website. You can locate your County Court’s website by using the State Court Website Directory Filing a claim should always be a last resort, so be sure to exhaust all the other avenues first. But if you have a legitimate grievance you are entitled to receive your deposit. A small claim can costs as little as $50 to file, and will typically be dealt with quickly by a Judge. You probably won’t need a lawyer and having clear documentation and records of the condition of the property is the key to winning. Lots of clear photos, copies of your deposit payment and letters to the landlord are essential. [17] X Research source
