{"id":1578,"date":"2014-03-03T01:59:56","date_gmt":"2014-03-03T06:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.renthop.com\/news\/?p=1578"},"modified":"2023-07-24T14:10:18","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T18:10:18","slug":"5-things-you-can-do-to-avoid-losing-your-security-deposit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/5-things-you-can-do-to-avoid-losing-your-security-deposit\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things You Can Do To Avoid Losing Your Security Deposit"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re renting a New York City apartment,<\/a> you most likely paid a security deposit when you signed your lease. The security deposit<\/a> secures your performance under the lease. If you fail to perform your obligations under the lease the landlord may keep some or all of the security deposit. The landlord holds the deposit during the lease, usually in an escrow account. (You may be entitled to any interest earned on the security deposit while it\u2019s held by the landlord.) Once you\u2019ve moved out of the apartment, your landlord will inspect the apartment and, assuming you haven\u2019t damaged the apartment beyond ordinary wear and tear, should return your security deposit to you. Continue reading to learn five things you should do to avoid losing your security deposit at the end of your lease.<\/p>\n

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The original landlord-tenant dispute.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Source: Toonpool.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Landlord Has the Leverage<\/h2>\n

The problem with security deposits is that at the end of the lease the landlord decides how much of your security deposit you\u2019ll get back. The landlord has all the leverage; you\u2019ll have a hard time challenging the landlord\u2019s determination that some or all of your deposit is forfeit. It’s helpful to know the laws of your state regarding security deposits<\/a>, and it’s important to document both the state of the apartment when you moved in and damage that occurs while you live there. But in the end, i<\/span>f you leave excess work for the landlord to do in preparing for the next tenant, you’re likely to pay for it with part of your security deposit, or else have a time-consuming (and potentially expensive) fight to recoup the lost portion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are five things you can do to avoid losing part or all of your security deposit:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Fix Damages to the Walls<\/h2>\n

Leases often explicitly provide that if you use nails to hang artwork you need to remove the hooks and fill the holes on move-out. Even if you don\u2019t fill the holes, you need to be careful removing the nails when you pull them out.<\/p>\n

\"If<\/a>
If you damage your walls you’ll lose your security deposit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Source: Flickr<\/a>\/CC 2.0<\/p>\n

This is especially important if you live in an apartment with cinder-block or plaster walls (e.g., Manhattan<\/a> pre-war apartment<\/a>). In those apartments you may need special nails, or to drill holes in the wall to put in the nails.\u00a0 If done incorrectly this can cause plaster to crumble. And if you\u2019re putting up something especially heavy, you need to make sure you find a wall stud into which to drive the nail. At the very least make sure you get hooks strong enough to support the weight of the object you\u2019re hanging.<\/p>\n

Consider using adhesive instead of hooks to hang lighter pieces (remember to pull down the adhesive!). Also, get in-fill putty from a hardware store \u2013 it\u2019s a common item and easy to apply.<\/p>\n

2. Avoid Scratching Hardwood Floors<\/h2>\n

H<\/span>ardwood floors are beautiful. They\u2019re also very easy to scuff and scratch \u2013 just dragging your dining-room chair across a hardwood floor can leave an unsightly (and expensive) trail. If you have hardwood floors, consider putting rubber cups or similar on your furniture’s legs \u2013 this will not only protect the floor but also keep the furniture from sliding around.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Don't<\/a>
Don’t do this to your floors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Source: Flickr<\/a>\/CC 2.0<\/p>\n

Carpets, paradoxically, are less of a problem \u2013 it\u2019s easier to damage carpet, but landlords often replace carpeting as a matter of course after a tenant moves out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Learn more:<\/p>\n