How to Get Back Your ENTIRE Security Deposit

At some point in a person's life they will be a tenant renting a home, apartment or other residential dwelling from a landlord. In most states, when you decide to sign a lease you are required to pay a security deposit. The amount of the deposit varies depending on the state, but in the majority of the states the security deposit is equal to one units rent. For example, if you pay rent on a monthly basis, then one months’ rent is the amount of your security deposit. A security deposit is used for any damages that may occur in the apartment beyond the natural wear-and-tear, and as a security to the landlord as assurance that the tenant will not break the lease. The security deposit is sometimes forfeited if there is a breaking of the lease.

There are a number of things that a tenant must do in order to get his or her security deposit back. One of the most important tasks to complete after signing a lease is a residential inventory. An inventory of the residence is a dated checklist of everything that is wrong with the residence. The inventory, in most cases, is a room by room, coded list that a tenant fills out. This is important so that the landlord can not hold the tenant liable for damage to the premises that was preceding their tenancy. The tenant should make sure they sign, date, and make a personal copy of the inventory. It is also a good idea for the tenant to get the inventory notarized as a just-in-case safety measure.

After taking an inventory, the tenant should take pictures of the residence. The pictures should be as detailed as possible, and should be taken before furniture is moved into the residence. Pictures are a safety measure, but an intelligent one. Pictures are admissible in a court of law and will help the tenant should the matter be taken to court. If available, get time stamps on the photographs so that the landlord knows the date that the pictures were taken. The date the pictures were developed is not relevant, especially if they were developed after the tenant has made the decision to leave the residency.