One of the biggest issues tenants face when moving is getting their security deposit back. Some Maryland tenants have to pay up to two months’ worth of rent for their security deposit. For many tenants, just one month of rent is a lot of money that they want back.
While many people say landlords will nickel and dime security deposits, some tenants have been able to get their deposit back in full. How did these tenants get their security deposit back? Here is what you should know:
Review the lease
Tenants should consider reviewing their lease. A well-written lease should include the amount of the tenant’s security deposit and outline the terms and conditions of getting the deposit back. For example, many leases allow landlords to keep a deposit if a lease is broken.
Give timely notice of vacancy
Landlords often need to know when their tenants are planning on leaving. Typically, by giving a landlord a thirty-day notice, it allows the landlord to inspect their apartment and return a security deposit following vacancy.
Ask for an itemized list of deductions
Landlords are required to give their tenants an itemized statement of deductions from the security deposit. Deductions can include costs for major repairs, replacing furniture or unpaid rent. Having this itemized list can help tenants understand why deductions were made to their security deposit.
Take before and after photos and video
To protect tenants from having their security deposit reduced unreasonably, it can help to take pictures or videos of an apartment before and after the tenancy. This could be used as evidence to prove a tenant left an apartment in the same condition as they lived there.
Understand tenants’ rights
Tenants have the right to recover their security deposit if they believe there were unfair deductions. Professional legal guidance can help tenants prepare a case against landlords, fight for their rights and recover damages.