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7 Ways to Get a Full Security Deposit Refund When You Move

Note: This article was written with UC Davis students and apartments in Davis, CA in mind; these tips may also be useful for other locations. This article does not promise that following the advice set forth will guarantee a full security deposit refund.

Ah, the college apartment. You’re living on your own for the first time (or at least, the first time with no Resident Advisor). You’re living with friends and negotiating the household chores. You’re balancing your budget with utility bills to pay, rent due, groceries and textbooks to buy, and *wow* you never realized how expensive it is to live on your own. Even moving into your apartment was expensive, what with the huge check for first and last month’s rent and a big security deposit. The rent you can never get back, but the security deposit is another matter.

We’ve come up with these seven tips to help you get your security deposit back when you move out. These are from our personal experiences renting in the college town of Davis, CA, but also may work in other locations.

1. Do a Move-In Walk-Through and Document Problems

When you move in, before setting down a single box, do a walk-through a document the state of the apartment, preferably with a video camera or at least a digital or film camera. Use a newspaper to prove when the photos or video were taken. Give a copy of all documentation to the management; they should take care of any immediate problems and will know what permanent damage was already there when you moved in. When you move out, if you can’t produce evidence of what the apartment looked like when you moved in you may get blamed and charged for damage.

Often at Davis apartment complexes, management will do a walk-through with you when you pick up the keys. Use this opportunity to ask questions about any problems you see and the expected appearance of the unit when you move out. The management will usually be happy to tell you what’s expected in the way of apartment wear and tear.

2. Clean Your Apartment Regularly

For hygienic purposes alone, your apartment should be cleaned a couple times a month; once a week with a mop, broom and vacuum is better. To save yourself a lot of grief when you move out, we recommend a “deep cleaning” once a month: dust all surfaces, wipe down cabinets, drawers and shelving, Windex all windows, inside and out, and window sills, clean the fridge, scrub away calcium deposits and mildew in the kitchen and bathroom, and clean the cracks where carpet meets wall. Keep an eye on the stovetop and oven, and wipe away spills before they have a chance to harden and cook into the surface. If you clean regularly throughout the year, when you move out you’ll just need to focus on the nitty-gritty details the management may require.

3. Reports Problems to the Management

Apartment complexes employ maintenance staff for a reason. It’s in everybody’s best interest to let the management fix problems with apartment appliances, mold, broken faucets, and so on. If you try to fix it yourself and end up causing more damage, you may have to pay for costly repairs. And if an accident happens and you don’t report it, even if the original accident wasn’t your fault you may be held liable and charged for any additional damages.

4. Get Written Permission Before Changing Anything

Yes, you live on your own, but that doesn’t mean you get to remodel as you choose; you don’t own the building. Get written permission from the management before making changes to the unit. Some complexes will let you paint the walls as long as you paint them back when you move out, but others won’t permit it at all. The same goes for chain security locks and wall hangings. Ask these questions when you sign your lease if it isn’t written in.

5. Clean Up After Your Pets

Lovable though they are, pets can be detrimental to your security deposit. Litter-box-train your cats and walk your dogs regularly to avoid mistakes. Make sure you have toys and scratch posts to keep your cat occupied and your carpet in one piece.

6. Don’t Be Stupid

We’ve heard a few horror stories from management staff members. One group of residents ground up shot glasses in the kitchen garbage disposal. Another set up a hookah in the living room, causing so much damage to the carpet it had to be replaced. The replaced carpet was so costly the security deposit didn’t cover it, and the residents were saddled with an expensive bill. Have some common sense: it’s just not worth it not to.

7. Do a Pre-Move-Out Walk-Through

A couple weeks before moving out, ask management to take a walk-through with you to get an idea of what the management expects the unit to look like when you leave. Some complexes are fine with a few carpet stains while others expect the joint to be sparkling; they’ll look for grease under the stovetop, dirt in the window track grooves, and dust on the light bulbs (we’re not making this up!).

Here are some questions to ask the management during your walk-through:

What is considered “normal wear and tear”? Should I clean my carpet and spot paint or will you? Will I be charged if you clean the carpets and paint the walls?

Is there an automatic deduction for “light cleaning”? If there is, is there any way I can avoid it?

Can we have a list of places and things to clean? Are there any specific cleaners we should use?

The best way to get your full security deposit refunded is to ask questions, keep an open communication with the complex management and know what's expected of you as a resident.

If you're a UC Davis student and live in Davis, you may also be interested in Finding Housing in Davis: A Guide for UC Davis Students.

Looking for resources for Davis and UC Davis? Visit OneGate for 95616 and OneGate for UC Davis.

Other Davis and UC Davis related articles on the OneGate blog:
17 Things To Pack for Your Freshman Year in the UC Davis Dorms
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