3/12/2004

Getting that security deposit back

Jef Vidmar
Daily Kent Stater

Believe it or not, it is possible to get your security deposit back after you move out of your apartment.

“Clean,” joked Rillis Moneypenny Jr. of ASW Realty and Management, a company that rents roughly 140 properties in Kent and Akron. Moneypenny, the broker and general manager of ASW, offered advice to tenants moving out on how to avoid getting charged.

The biggest problem he said people encounter is when several people share a house and move out at different times.

“You get several people that move out of the house early,” he said. “Then one or two people get stuck cleaning and doing all the work.”

He said this usually results in the property being left in a poor condition, and the tenants don’t get their full deposit returned to them.

Moneypenny said it is the tenant responsibility to thoroughly clean the house or apartment and leave it in a maintained state. He added that tenants are not charged for general wear and tear, but anything beyond that will be taken out of the security deposit.

Another piece of advice he gave was to list damages to the property before moving in. Most landlords or realty companies such as ASW give tenants a form before moving in that gives them a chance to list damages room by room. He said it is the tenant’s responsibility to list all damage to the house before even moving in.

Jeff Hunt of WW Reed and Son offered similar advice. He said to use a video camera and go through the property and document any damage before move in, then the tenant has proof the damages were there before.

Moneypenny also said a way to get the security deposit back is to pay rent on time to avoid racking up late fees. If the late fees are not paid, then they will be taken out of the deposit.

While security deposits are important, a tenant’s credit rating could also be at stake.

“The majority of tenants don’t realize that our records are tied in with the credit bureau,” Moneypenny said.

This could be especially significant if a tenant causes damage to the property that exceeds the security deposit. In that case, the bill for the tenant is handed to a collection agency, and the person’s credit rating will be affected, Moneypenny said. However, good information – such as paying rent on time – is also entered into the database, so not missing a rent and smooth exits will work to a tenant’s advantage.

E-mail: jvidmar@kent.edu