5 Surprising Things that Can Cost You Your Security Deposit

You know that weird feeling of cleaning for your landlord like you're trying to impress a royal family member you’ll never see again? Yeah, moving out is exactly that. Most people think as long as nothing’s broken and the walls are still standing, they’re in the clear. But security deposits disappear fast, and it’s usually not because of the obvious stuff.

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While yes, everyone knows the more basic advice when it comes to getting their security deposit back, unfortunately, it’s not always as simple as that. Sure, it’d be nice, but it doesn’t really work that way. There are some more “sneakier” things, some that are surprising, that you’re going to have to consider as well.

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The Stuff that Looks Clean but isn’t

Okay, this head probably doesn’t make any sense, right? Well, just because something looks decent from five feet away doesn’t mean it’s passable. Well, for the most part, landlords have eagle vision for things you probably haven’t looked at twice. Like the inside of the fridge drawers, the stains in the fridge,  or the grime around the base of the toilet. If there’s mystery goo in a corner somewhere, they’ll find it and charge you for it.

There’s those “Forgotten” Spots

Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, not for a landlord! For example, air vents? Well, that’s not on anyone’s priority list until the fine layer of dust turns into a science project. Actually, the same goes for ceiling fan blades, light switch plates, and windowsills. Yeah, they’re really small, and at the same time, they seem so insignificant too. 

But these areas collect grime quietly, and when they’re skipped over, it makes the whole place feel less “move-in ready” and more “previous tenant vibes.” So, what does this mean to you? Well, chances are pretty high that you won’t get your deposit back.

That One Area You Said You’d get to Later

Yep, everyone’s got one. Maybe it’s the oven, the bathtub, the baseboards. But usually, something gets mentally bookmarked for “later” and ends up ignored. Now, what about the landlords, though? Well, you can count on them remembering. So, this is the point where most people realize they should’ve just hired help. It’s totally fine if you’re not the type of person who thinks about all those nooks and crannies while cleaning.

Not everyone is used to doing deep cleaning, either, but even so, you’re still expected to clean those. So if you’re really not good at cleaning, lack the time, or whatever else, then you might be better off looking into a service like Sparkly Maid to help you out. But no, this isn’t excessive at all. At the end of the day, you can count on getting your deposit back when you hire a professional to do the job.

Pets Leave Clues

You may love your dog, but your landlord doesn’t want to sniff out their entire history. Plus, things like pet hair, dander, and subtle smells tend to cling to places people forget, under the couch, in the corners, and inside closets. And if you’ve got any lingering pet “oops” spots, those need serious attention. Usually, you need to clean twice as hard when you own a pet.

Bathrooms are Almost Always Dealbreakers

A little soap scum? Well, that’s fine (for most landlords at least). But if the grout is orange, the mirror is streaky, and there’s buildup around the faucet, expect a line item on your move-out bill. But bathrooms are the one place landlords always inspect up close. 

This is a contributed post.

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