Make preparations before you move in to save time and money when you move out. Start planning before you move in. Use felt pads to protect wood floors from scratches, and use removable poster putty or removable hooks to hang things to avoid being charged for damage.

Stay organized. Do you remember the rental-related paperwork you received when you moved in? An owner of a cleaning company for end-of-tenancy cleaning recommends reading them thoroughly and keeping them all in one place. She advises, "Research the proper procedures for terminating your rental agreement and follow them."

Documenting everything. "Fair wear and tear" is, unfortunately, subjective. A moving expert asserts, "I've seen cases in which landlords stretch this phrase to the limit." He encourages tenants to take photographs of everything in the rental property as evidence of its condition. While photograph documentation is perfect, in some cases, it's not sufficient.
It's advised to take a video walkthrough of the unit when you first move in and again when you move out. Your video will serve as evidence that you kept the rental in good condition in the event that the property manager or the owner attempts to withhold your deposit. It will make it very difficult for them to argue with you. It only takes a few minutes and will help you save a few hundred dollars.
Additionally, keep a record of every time you contacted your property manager to report issues with the maintenance. Whenever you report maintenance requests, do so via email or a confirmation-based reporting system. This serves as evidence for your records.

Contact your landlord to find out how much advance notice you need to give about your move-out date. Even though this may already be stated in your rental agreement, a brief conversation serves as a helpful confirmation and courtesy to your landlord.

Clean thoroughly If you want to get your deposit money back in full, you'll need to do more than just dust and vacuum. This means behind and underneath appliances and details like light switches, door frames, and more.
Additionally, check to see if your rental agreement requires professional cleaning. Provided that this is true, keep the service receipt as evidence for your landowner.

Plan to move out on the same day as your roommates and if possible, arrange a move-out day with them. You don't want to leave it up to your roommate to make sure the apartment is perfectly cleaned and ready for the next tenant. Additionally, you don't want your roommates to leave before you do, leaving you with trash to clean up. Make it a collective effort!

Invite some trusted friends over for a mock inspection and go through your move-out checklist together. If you went through your checklist on your own, you might be surprised at how many things you would have missed. Note each and every flaw or deterioration because some of them fall under the landlord's control and should be deducted from your deposit. You will be able to address any problem that arises during your stay once you are aware of who is responsible for what.

Request an unofficial inspection from your landlord prior to your move-out date. Have your landlord conduct a mock inspection. This helps you figure out what needs fixing and lets you and your partner agree on what needs more cleaning or repairs. Give yourself a few days between this inspection and the day you move out so you can fix any problems your landlord might have.

Make necessary repairs such as replacing light bulbs, filling nail holes, and unclogging drains. These are all minor fixes that can have a significant impact. They'll take you no more than an hour to complete, but they'll raise the general condition of the property. The completed work will undoubtedly be appreciated by the landlord, who will be less likely to request a deduction from the deposit.
Additionally, it is a good idea to cover any walls with scuffs or holes with a coat of the original paint color. It is suggested that you either hire a service and ask for lower "white boxing" rates or do it yourself for about $50. This could be more cost-effective than losing that money from your deposit, especially if your rental is small, depending on the condition of your walls. And if neither choice is an option for you, The Magic Eraser is the next best thing there is, it will be your BFF regarding getting rid of scrapes and stains.

Learn about your rights as a renter regarding security deposits at the local, county, and state levels because it is against the law in the majority of states for a landlord to withhold your security deposit without providing a reason. The websites of your state's attorney general and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are both good places to start looking for this information. You should also be aware of these rules, and your property manager or owner should already be aware of them. You can benefit from landlord-tenant laws, but you must advocate for yourself.

Finally, being courteous is just as important as following these ten recommendations. Persistence and consideration are important characteristics, particularly in the event that you live on an enormous high rise where many different occupants are moving out around a similar time as you.
You can rest assured that recovering your security deposit does not have to be stressful. You are well on your way to getting your hard-earned deposit money back if you plan ahead and communicate clearly and considerately.