What to Do Before Moving Out

When you move out, leave the apartment clean. Repair any damage you may have caused.

Make sure the landlord cannot claim that you damaged the apartment or left it so dirty that he had to hire a professional cleaning service. Many landlords are honest. Some landlords might make false claims so that they can keep your security deposit.

To protect your security deposit make a record of the condition of your apartment when you move out:

1. Move out your belongings and clean the unit.
   After you have moved out all of your belongings and cleaned the apartment, take pictures of the apartment. For example, if you have a picture of your living room, after you move out the landlord cannot claim that your furniture hid a big hole in the wall or that you left the rugs filthy.
2. Do a walk-through with the landlord.
   Ask the landlord to walk through the apartment with you to view the condition of the unit. Make a list of everything you see during this walk through. Ask your landlord to sign the list. If the landlord will not sign it, mail the landlord a copy after you move out. Save a copy for yourself.
3. Take pictures.
   As you do your walk through, take pictures of the condition of the apartment. Take pictures even if your landlord walks through the apartment with you. The landlord will see that you are documenting the condition of your apartment.
4. Return the keys.
   Return your keys to your landlord by the end of the day you are supposed to move out of your apartment. If you do not return your keys in time, the landlord may try to charge you rent for the next month. He may take such "rent" out of your security deposit. Or, he may try to sue you for unpaid rent If you bring along someone who does not live in your apartment, she can witness that you returned the keys..
5. Send your landlord a letter after you move out with your forwarding address.
   Sometimes landlords claim they did not return a security deposit because they did not know where to send it. Send your landlord a letter. Ask her to forward your security deposit to a particular address. Keep a copy of this letter for yourself.