Four Tips to Ensure You Get Your Security Deposit Back

Security deposits can be a hassle. There always seems to be a big grey area where people think, how can I ensure that I get my security deposit back when a lot of what is considered damage is subjective? The trick is to bring as much objectivity into the argument as possible. If you are getting the run around about your security deposit, or if you are just unsure as to whether you will be getting it back or not, follow these four tips outlined by the All My Sons Columbus movers and ensure you are protected:

1 - Take Pictures: It usually helps if you've remembered to do this before your Columbus movers move you out. Make sure to keep the pictures in a safe place, and let the landlord know that you have photos dating from before you moved in, thus proving any damage that was not done by you.

2 - Make Some Demands: Don't assume a nice landlord isn't going to try and keep your entire security deposit. Often times, that deposit is also a great form of income for them and they will fight you for any security deposit money they can get. To ensure you get your security deposit back, you have to be willing to fight for it as well. If damages are mentioned, ask for an itemized list of those damages. If you have taken pictures before and after, you can reference those pics when you go through the list, as this will drastically change the outcome of the fight in your favor.

3 - The Lease: A lot of leases these days have a nonrefundable cleaning deposit that will be taken directly from your security deposit. Of course this doesn't mean you should leave your house or apartment looking like it was hit by a bomb; be respectful and give it a once over at least. There's no need to deep clean because that money will be coming out of your security deposit anyways, but if you are respectful of your landlord then it might help your chances of getting more out of your security deposit before you relocate to a new home with your Columbus movers.

4 - Know the Cost: When it comes to replacing things like carpets or counter tops, you might not be responsible for as much as you think. Ask the landlord if they are replacing it with new, used, or on hand items. Some ways around security deposit clauses in leases include knowing the lease and asking for costs. Ask if the carpet was new when you moved in; if it is way past needing to be replaced, you can ask for something called the amortized value of the carpet and only pay that. The landlord cannot expect you to cover the entire cost of a carpet that was about to reach the end of its life anyway.