Getting Your Damage Deposit Back

By

sheilamay

It's very important to check your lease thoroughly. Some landlords require you to repaint walls white if you have painted them a different color during your tenancy. Aside from that, follow the advice given to have the landlord inspect it before you move out, making sure that it's clean and everything is in reasonable repair. Check your local regulations regarding rental leases should your landlord refuse to return your deposit. I'm sure you wouldn't rather appear on Judge Judy! :)

By Sharon (Guest Post)

You need to leave it as clean as you got it in. You should have a pre move in inspection that you signed. As far as painting the walls no don't, you didn't say how long you lived there. There is normal wear and tear but that is after living there for a while. If you have kids that marked on the walls you can be charged for painting the walls again or if they are really dirty wash what you can mr clean magic eraser works good on walls.

By

GrammySheila

It has always been my experience that the cleaner you leave an apartment or house, the easier it will be to get your deposit back. I agree that you should not have to paint the walls, as that is the job of the landlord/apartment manager. I also agree about scheduling a walk through with the landlord/manager.

I would also like to add that we almost always video the apartment or house we are moving in to before we move anything into it...we also video upon moving out/cleaning it, so that we have evidence of how we left the place in case anything should ever arise. We've never had to use the video tapes, but it is better to have and not need...

God Bless,
Sheila in Titusville, FL

By Robin (Guest Post)

Is that like a security deposit? We once had paid a security deposit, and our lease was up. The apartment was CLEANER than when we moved in, but despite it all they would NOT give us our deposit back. So, you might want to see IF you can get it back or not.

By

pamphyila

You shouldn't have to re-paint the walls, that's the landlord's job - but I would suggest that you schedule an inspection of your apartment before you leave to see that you agree about the condition you are leaving the unit in. Sometimes they plan to replace the carpet, anyway, if it's not brand new, for example. There can be some reasonable wear and tear - but don't leave the place trashed, either!