I messed up big time when I moved out of my first apartment. I pretty much figured that I’d just leave what I didn’t want any more inside and not clean I thing. I thought it was the complexes job, and they were going to clean it anyway right?  Wrong. Dead. Wrong. $756 bucks  later I was defiantly regretting. I know this might be a common sense thing to some, but I never had anyone to  really explain things like this to me.  Also, let me include that that was $756 on top of the $350 security deposit. Each bag of garbage they removed from the apartment was $75 a piece. Each damaged wall (any leftover nails or excess holes) was $100.  Well, I learned and happened to pick up a few easy ways to get my full deposit back!

• Remove everything! Not even one push-pin in any wall!
• Get a small tub of drywall putty (about $5) and wipe a small dab on any holes in the walls.
• Vacuum about 6 times.
• Double check all the fire alarms! Replace the batteries! I had to do this because those things would start screeching over one piece of toast.  (Also, I’m not the best cook.)
• Get a half gallon of Kilz Primer (found for under $10) and touch up any dirty pr scuffed walls.
• Use a heavy duty cleaner (Clorox, Lysol, ex…) and wipe out ever sink and cabinet.

It may seem like a lot, but as long as you get all your supplies ahead of time it’s a piece of cake! Crumb cake.

Related posts:

1. Checklist for moving out: 7 Things to Remember
2. Keeping Your (& Your Pet’s!) Apartment Healthy & Happy
3. Big Mess in Your Little Apartment – School Project
4. You’re such a pest! Taking preventative measures against critters
5. Budget Blunders: 5 Changes That Will SAVE Your CASH

Tags: Landlord, lease, Money, rent, security deposit