Generally, you’ll pay the same amount of money for the security deposit as the monthly rental rate.Įach state has laws as to where the money is held during your occupancy, and the contract should stipulate whether or not the money will incur interest or not.
When you find the perfect apartment and the landlord accepts your application, you generally need to put a first and last month’s payment down as well as a security deposit. While living in your apartment, be sure to write a maintenance request letter to have things repaired in a timely manner. One thing to keep in mind before you move into your apartment is to be sure to go over the rental or lease agreement and note what the responsibilities you have as a renter and also the landlord’s responsibilities so you’re both clear about who needs to fix, repair, or replace what. If needed, the landlord uses money from your security deposit to cover those costs. In order to get the full amount of your security deposit back, the landlord wants to see if they need to make repairs or replace items. Just be sure that the format is the same for both inspections and that every item and detail gets covered. When you move out, you and your landlord go from room to room and look for any damages, except for normal wear and tear, that may have occurred during your occupancy.Ī move-out checklist comes in different formats, from a simple handwritten item-by-item list to a downloadable PDF page with clearly marked sections and descriptions. During the move-in inspection, you and your landlord looked at the condition and cleanliness of the space and noted any previous damage. What is a moving out checklist?Ī move-out checklist is similar to a move-in checklist, except you complete it at the end of your lease. Plus, if you leave everything clean and in good working order, you can use your landlord as a reference when renting your new place. One of the most important reasons to follow the list provided by your landlord is to ensure you get your security deposit back. This will ensure that all areas of interest are covered and the process is carried out systematically and fairly.When the time comes to move out of your apartment, be sure that you’ve thoroughly covered the to-do items on your move-out checklist. Repeat at move-out: When it's time for the tenant to move out, you can use the printable tenant move-out checklist as an example to guide your final property assessment.This makes the document official and binding. Sign and date: Have the landlord and the tenant sign and date the checklist.
The tenant may notice problems that were missed during the initial walkthrough. Provide space for comments: In your checklist, include a section for tenants to note any issues or concerns about the property when they move in.This will help to avoid misunderstandings or disputes at the end of the lease.