\n If you're about to move out of your apartment, I'm sure you are\n quite stressed. Moving is an extremely stressful process. It's even\n worse when you are concerned about getting your security deposit\n back.\n
\n\n Getting your full deposit back is difficult since your landlord will\n likely need to use some of it to finish your move out process. You\n can increase your odds by doing most of the process yourself,\n though. This includes cleaning your apartment, repairing damages,\n and cleaning your carpets.\n
\n\n Follow this checklist to help guide you towards a larger security\n deposit refund, and share it on Facebook with the link at the bottom\n if it helped you!\n
\n\n The carpets need to be freshly cleaned when you move out. If you\n don't take care of this yourself, your landlord will do it for\n you. They will then take the cost (typically plus a convenience\n fee) out of your deposit. By scheduling it yourself, you can\n save the convenience fee.\n
\n\n I also strongly recommend using us for your carpet cleaning\n needs. We already handle the carpet cleaning for nearly all of\n the student-housing market in Blacksburg and Radford. Because of\n this, you can be sure that your landlord won't choose to have\n the carpet cleaned a second time (taken from your security\n deposit) due to a lack of trust in the carpet cleaning process.\n
\n\n If you have accidentally knocked holes into the walls, they will\n need to be repaired. This also includes pin holes from posters.\n
\n\n Consult your landlord about this. Not all landlords will require\n this step.\n
\n\n Thoroughly clean the windows on the inside and the outside.\n There should be no smudges or dirty spots on the windows.\n
\n\n Dust accumulates on the top of ceiling fan blades. The ceiling\n fan blades will need to be cleared of any dust.\n
\n\n We all know how cobwebs build up in the corners. Use a feather\n duster to remove them.\n
\n\n Try to make your apartment surfaces pass the \"white glove test.\"\n
\n\n Black scuff marks will be immediately noticed when the\n inspection is performed on your apartment. Clean them off the\n walls (or touch up paint over them) to help the walls look\n great.\n
\n\n This will be one of the first things management notices when\n they walk your apartment. If your light fixtures are clean and\n looking good, it will go a long way towards helping you get your\n security deposit back.\n
\nThe apartment needs to be completely empty when you leave.
\n\n Consult with your landlord first. If there are tears, bleach\n stains, or other damages to your carpet, your landlord might\n expect you to pay for the repairs.\n
\n\n You won't be held responsible for stains on the carpet that were\n listed on your move-in report. New stains, however, will be your\n responsibility. Try to have these removed at the time of your\n carpet cleaning.\n
\n\n Remove all food from the refrigerator. It should be completely\n empty. Then thoroughly clean it so that it looks and smells\n fresh.\n
\n\n Clean and remove any stains from counter tops. Coffee stains\n might be particularly difficult to remove.\n
\n\n This is an important point. I have heard stories of deposits\n being withheld because the tenant failed to do this. Make sure\n to move the refrigerator and clean all around it.\n
\n\n This might be the hardest step. Make sure to clean out the drip\n pans (or replace them if necessary). Fully clean any food\n droppings from the oven as well.\n
\n\n Most of the time, this is enough to make the hard floors look\n good. If this isn't cutting it, however, you might need to have\n them professionally cleaned.\n
\n\n Use Windex or a similar product to clean the mirrors and\n metallic surfaces such as the faucet. They should all look\n perfectly clean and shiny.\n
\n\n It's a dirty job, but it has to be done. There should be no\n stains in the toilet bowl as well.\n
\n\n This might require some scrubbing. Use strong and appropriate\n cleaners to make this step easier.\n
\n\n Following this checklist will go a long way towards helping you get\n your deposit back. The best rule of thumb to go by is to remember\n that your landlord will want the apartment to be in the same\n condition it was when you moved in.\n
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