Madison WI Apartment News | Campus Area and Beyond
Full Security Back For Your Madison Apartment
Most renters tend to think that in order to receive their full security
deposit back, they must simply clean their Madison apartment or rental
before they move out… this however is only partially true. In order to
protect your full security deposit you also need to be pro-active before you
even move into your Madison apartment. If you have a reputable landlord, he
or she (or one of their staff) should do a walk though of the madison
apartment with you before you move in, and provide you with a check list for
you to note any damages you notice to the Madison apartment or rental. If no
such check list is provided for you, you must ask for one (do not hand over
a security deposit if your landlord is unwilling to provide you with the
opportunity to document current conditions to the Madison apartment or
rental). A few things to keep in mind when conducing your pre-rental walk
through--1. Document everything!
Be very detailed in writing down the current condition of the Madison apartment or rental (carpet stains, scratches, scuff marks, dents, etc…) If possible you should take pictures of the flaws you are documenting, even better yet video footage.
2. Keep your copy of the pre rental checklist, your photos and/or video, and copy of your security deposit check together in a safer place where they will not be lost or get damaged (never pay you security deposit, or any rent for that matter in cash unless you receive a legitimate receipt EVERY time)
3. Upon moving out of the Madison apartment or rental unit be sure and do a complete cleaning, the apartment or rental should be in approximately the same condition in which it was on the day you moved in. We have created a general check list below of things you are going to need to do before moving out of your Madison apartment (assuming you have not done any permanent damage to the property).
Clean bathtub and shower.
Clean toilet.
Clean sink.
Wash all cabinets and mirrors.
Clean out cabinets and drawers.
Sweep and mop the floors.
Clean countertops, backsplashes and sinks.
Clean stove, oven, microwave and broiler (underneath the stove as well).
Vacuum the carpets.
Wash stains off walls.
Remove all tacks and/or nails from the walls and fill the holes.
Clean windows and window sills.
Dust ceiling fans, air conditioners and heaters.
Empty all drawers.
Take everything that you brought with you to the apartment when you leave.
4. Finally, be present for the after- rental walk through of your Madison apartment. Again, a reputable landlord should have no issues with this. Be sure and bring your copy of the check list, and photos/video from the pre rental walk though, to ensure that their will be no discrepancies. If you have followed all of the above, you should have no problem in retaining you full security deposit.
