What apartment maintenance tasks are you responsible for?

Some leases -- particularly if you're renting a house or a duplex -- make certain home maintenance tasks the responsibility of the tenant rather than the landlord.

For example, duplex and single-family home renters sometimes must shovel their own sidewalks in the wintertime and mow their own lawns in the summer. Aside from that, almost every tenant must occasionally change a light bulb or replace the batteries in their smoke detectors. And, unfortunately, some tenants take on more of their fair share of rental home maintenance tasks simply because they have landlords who aren't prompt about doing it or outright refuse.

For tenants who fit the descriptions above, check out the Top 10 Best Buys for Easier Home Maintenance. If you're looking to get the most bang out of your buck when purchasing home maintenance tools or supplies, this Top 10 list is a good guide for choosing essential home maintenance products that will make tasks easier and faster and, in some cases, will save you money.



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Outrageous security deposit deductions for cleaning? Here's where to turn for help.

Rent apartments long enough and chances are good you'll eventually run into a landlord who nickle-and-dimes you out of your security deposit with outrageous, exorbitant cleaning fees after you've moved out.

Sure, sometimes security deposit cleaning deductions are justified. If you didn't return your apartment to move-in condition when you moved out, expect your landlord to recoup his cleaning costs for the next tenant out of your security deposit. However, if you think your landlord charged you in excess of what it actually cost him or her to clean your apartment, you may have options to recoup some of the money.

Read "How to Dispute Outrageous Security Deposit Cleaning Deductions" for some advice on where to turn for help.



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Were your move-out cleaning charges kosher?

How does a landlord decide the price of security deposit deductions for cleaning when you move out of an apartment?

Read "How Does a Landlord Decide Cleaning Charges at the End of a Lease?" if you want to know what deductions to expect in 30 days when your landlord returns the balance of your security deposit to you, or if you've been charged for cleaning upon move-out and wonder whether or not your security deposit cleaning deductions were reasonable or "normal."


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"Normal wear and tear" -- just what the heck IS it?

These last couple of blog posts about security deposits and deductions or forfeitures for "excessive cleaning" might have tenants just like you looking at their leases and trying to figure out just what exactly is "excessive dirtiness" and how it differs from "normal wear and tear."

Seek and ye shall find, by reading "What Is Normal Wear and Tear in an Apartment?"

The article cites a few standard definitions of normal wear and tear, and gives examples of normal wear and tear as opposed to actual damages such as excessive cleaning required upon move-out.

I think you'll find the article helpful. Another thing you can do is talk to your apartment manager a few weeks before moving out and invite him or her to do a walk-though of your apartment. The apartment manager should be able to pinpoint apartment areas that past tenants have commonly forgotten to clean, as well as areas of your apartment that need some extra TLC before you hand in the keys. He or she may also be able to alleviate some of your worries. For example: Yes, a closet bifold door that has come off track is usually considered normal wear and tear. So is a loose cabinet handle, or sun-faded blinds.

For more examples, click on the article linked above.



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Moving out soon? Make sure you clean the floors!

My last blog post led you to some pictures of apartments that departing tenants left stunningly (and some, disgustingly) dirty.

If you're soon moving out of your own apartment and you don't want to be one of "those people," here's a little cleaning advice: How to Clean Your Floors as You Move Out of an Apartment.

Can dirty floors cause you to lose some of your security deposit when you move out of an apartment? Can you prevent the forfeiture of security deposit funds for dirty floors?

Yes and yes!

Check it out.



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