When you’re busy packing up your belongings, the last thing on your mind is cleaning your apartment. However, if you’re like most renters, your lease agreement required a security deposit when you moved in—one that you don’t want to forfeit. Though it may have been a few years since you signed your lease, that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically lose your security deposit. Your Colorado moving experts want to help. Here are a few steps you can follow to maximize your chances of getting your security deposit back after moving out.
Review Your Lease
Every lease agreement should outline precisely what you need to do at move-out to get your deposit back. No two lease agreements are identical, and the requirements your landlord included may be different from those you agreed to at your previous apartment. Before you start packing up and moving out, make sure you understand what is expected of you. If you can’t find your lease, ask your landlord for a copy of it. This way, you’ll be able to stick to the lease terms and make sure you perform all maintenance and cleaning tasks outlined in the agreement. If you uphold your end of the agreement and your landlord does not return your deposit, review the Colorado landlord-tenant laws and speak with a legal professional.
Deep Clean
Your standard weekly cleaning routine is not going to be enough to satisfy the move-out requirements. Depending on your lease requirements, leaving your apartment clean rather than spotless may result in you losing your security deposit. As you pack, start cleaning. Wipe down the cabinets, remove any sticky residue from the countertops, and look around the corners of the rooms for cobwebs and sweep them away. Once your belongings are packed up, you’ll want to repair any holes in the walls and take the time to sweep or vacuum the floors thoroughly. The cleaner your apartment is, the less likely your landlord will find things to charge you with.
Don’t Forget the Appliances.
Your kitchen appliances are one of the easiest things to forget about when you’re moving, but you’ll still want to get them clean. Before you turn in your keys, clean out the oven, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher if you have one. To clean the refrigerator, you’ll want to remove the shelves and wipe them down with a good all-purpose cleaner. Take care to wipe down the produce drawers, freezer, and exterior as well. For your dishwasher, run a cycle with hot water and let it dry.
Cleaning the oven may take a bit more work, depending on the level of buildup inside. Remove the racks and wipe them down to get rid of any food particles still attached. If the buildup is extensive, fill the bathtub with warm soapy water and soak the gunk off. Once that’s done, clean the interior of the oven as thoroughly as possible.
If you leave your apartment as clean as possible and satisfy all move-out expectations in the lease agreement, your landlord must return your security deposit. To help make your clean-up process easier, save yourself the stress of packing and moving by hiring the pros at Eden’s Moving Services. Our friendly staff is ready to help, whether you’re moving across town or the state. Contact us today for more information and get your free no-obligation moving estimate.
