Home Inspection List, You Might Want Your Own

When renting a home , you usually have to put down a hefty security deposit. In order to get that deposit back when you’re ready to move out, your home will have to pass a thorough inspection by your landlord to ensure that it has not suffered damage. The cost to repair damages is deducted from your security deposit. The landlord will come through with a home inspection list and check each one. It might be a good idea if you, when you’re ready to move out, make a list of your own and check over the place before they get a peek. That way, you can take care of any small problems that might end up costing you a big chunk of your deposit.

Most rental contracts allow for a certain amount of normal wear and tear. Still, cleaning the carpets is a good idea, especially if you had children or pets in the house. Also, if you have any dings in the drywall, now is the time to patch and paint over them. You’d be surprised how cheaply you can handle this repair versus what the landlord will deduct from your deposit if he has to handle it. Add fixing those leaky faucets and loose hinges on the cabinets  to your home inspection list. The small amount of time and effort you put into to taking care of the little things can make a big difference in how much of your deposit is returned to you when you move.

Of course, any major damage is going to be a tough call. If you accidentally poured solvent on a hardwood floor and ruined the finish, it might cost more than your security deposit to have it repaired. Scratches on wooden floors, however, might not be too costly to have buffed out and varnished over. With luck, your landlord will remember how you paid your rent on time and weren’t a pest, and that can definitely work in your favor