Your security deposit is often one of the largest sums you will ever hand to a landlord, and getting all of it back is easier than you might think. It starts on the day you move in.
On move-in day
- Check the inspection report carefully. Go through every room and compare it with what you see. Note every mark, scratch, stain or chip — however small — and add your own photos.
- Test everything. Taps, toilets, appliances, air conditioning, windows and locks. Report anything that does not work straight away.
- Sign only when it is accurate. The signed report is the starting point for your move-out inspection.
While you live there
- Report repairs promptly. A slow leak reported early is the landlord's repair; water damage from a leak you never mentioned may come out of your deposit.
- Run the air conditioning and keep the home ventilated to prevent mould.
- Use furniture pads and hang pictures with the hooks your landlord allows.
- Ask before making changes like painting or installing shelves, and keep the approval in writing.
Before you move out
Use this cleaning checklist — it covers the things most often charged for:
| Area | What to do |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Clean inside the oven, fridge, freezer and every cupboard; degrease the hob and extractor |
| Bathroom | Descale taps and shower, clean grout, toilet and mirrors |
| Floors | Vacuum and mop everywhere, including under furniture |
| Walls | Wipe marks, fill small nail holes if allowed |
| Windows | Clean inside glass, sills and tracks |
| Outside | Clear balconies and patios, remove all rubbish |
On moving-out day
- Remove everything that belongs to you.
- Take your own dated photos of every room.
- Return every key, fob and remote — missing keys are a common deduction.
- Give the landlord your forwarding address.
Fair wear and tear
You are not responsible for normal ageing of the home: lightly worn carpets, small scuffs, faded paint or loose door handles after years of use. Deductions should only cover damage beyond normal wear, unpaid rent or cleaning needed to return the home to its move-in condition.
How we handle deposits
At Smartweb Infotech your deposit is held in a separate escrow account and shown in your tenant account. After move-out we compare the home with the signed move-in report and return your deposit within 15 days, with a written, itemised list of any deductions — so there are no surprises.
