Apartment Answers: How do You Know if it’s Normal Wear and Tear?

Moving to an Apartment for the very first time can bring with it all sorts of questions. Perhaps one of the most confusing issues that crops up is the difference between normal wear and tear and actual damages when it comes to getting a security deposit back. There is a fine line between the two. Walk it correctly and you will get your money back. Cross it and you simply will not.

While security deposit laws vary from state to state, rest assured they are set up for you to get your deposit back if you do your part. When you’re getting ready for moving out, consider these things about your apartment:

The walls – A bit of dirt and a few pin pricks in the walls is generally considered normal wear and tear. Giant holes in the drywall, paint that hasn’t been returned to its original color or burns would fall into the “damages” category. If you want your deposit back, try to leave the apartment in almost as good shape as you received it in. Make repairs and paint if necessary. If the damage to a wall isn’t too bad, you can always fill nail holes and patch larger holes yourself.

The carpets – The fact of the matter is that carpets and flooring wear down over time. You can expect them to be a little less perky and a bit more dingy at the end of a year’s lease. What your landlord will not expect, however, is giant holes in the carpet, burn marks and tears. If these are present, you might have some trouble getting your security deposit back. Normal wear and tear in regard to carpeting generally is chalked up to aging; not destruction. Learn how to properly care for your carpet to avoid charges for stains or damages at the end of your lease.

The appliances – These should remain in good working order. If they are inoperable due to mechanical failure, report the problem immediately to your landlord. If you don’t, it’s possible this will turn into a glitch at the end of your lease.

Keys – When a key or door lock happens to break over the course of time, it’s wear and tear. If these things are damaged from misuse or you manage to lose keys to your apartment or remove locks from your doors, you might find yourself paying out of your security deposit.

General state of things – Apartment complex managers generally hire cleaning crews to come in and tidy up before re-rental. They expect a few things to be dirty and out of order. What they don’t call normal wear and tear, however, is an apartment that has been trashed. Do your part to clean up every room before you move and chances are you will get some or all of your deposit back.

When you’re preparing to move out, don’t forget to check your original condition report you filled out at the beginning of your lease. This will help you see areas that might be of concern. Remember, there is a fine line between wear and tear and damages. Commonsense tends to apply, however. If you do your part to keep your apartment clean and tidy, chances are you will receive a security deposit check back after you move out.