When you first rented a house or apartment, it is highly likely that you were asked for some form of security deposit. This is a normal procedure when renting and it is used as a kind of safeguard in certain circumstances. Even though the security deposit should be returned when your tenancy ends, the process of returning the full amount is never straightforward. So, in order to get a better understanding of this issue, the details need to be looked at in more depth.
When you first entered the property, it was in certain state. The deposit is required just in case the property experiences any damages by fault of the tenant. In the event this type of situation, the deposit is needed so that repairs can be made by deducting the cost from it. The only way you can avoid this is if you can prove that the damage was already there when you moved in.
If any appliances have been damaged or broken, you can conclude that the costs for repair will also be deducted. Basically, any type of damage that you have inflicted will need to be paid for and fixed. However, it is down to the landlord to justify these costs and produce evidence to support the fact these alterations have been made. If you are not careful, they will add up.
You must also leave the apartment in a clean state once your contract ends. If not, then expect a cleaning bill to be deducted from your deposit. Remember, it is your responsibility to take care of the property just as it were your own. If the apartment has been maintained properly, professional cleaning will not be necessary. Keeping the rental clean covers everything i.e. the kitchen, the bathroom and even windows. Again, cleaning costs are hefty, so if a thorough clean is needed after you leave, expect severe reductions.
Many landlords perform functionary cleaning when a property is vacated. These are normally appliance based, meaning the oven, the fridge and freezer. The carpets are probably cleaned as well. Since this will incur a cost, this will also come out of the deposit. The important thing is to ensure that this is stipulated in your contract, if not, the landlord needs to validate the need to clean.
In essence, your contract should cover all these points. It is common to find that your deposit has considerably declined when you leave a rented apartment. So, be careful how you treat your rented accommodation, otherwise your deposit will turn into a fee, or even worse, you will end up owing more money.
