As we count down to the height of PCS season, military service members and their families around the world are preparing to pack up and move to their new installation. With that comes the often dreaded but sometimes financially beneficial move-out inspection.

For someone who moves from one military rental to another often, the ability to get your deposit back is a tremendous asset. Especially when you are gearing up to move again, extra money can be extremely helpful.

We’ve gathered all the information you need regarding what landlords look for in inspection when it’s move-out time! Take the following measures to increase your chances of keeping your deposit.

How to Prepare for Your Move-Out Inspection

Landlords have to keep some money from deposits to pay for maintenance and repairs that go into turning over the property to new tenants. So, if you have time, putting your rented home back into rentable condition could benefit both you and your landlord.

Review the following landlord inspection checklist for a better idea of what goes into preparing a property for the next tenants.

Typical Landlord Inspection Checklist

• Carpet cleaning
• Deep house cleaning
• Deodorizing
• Windows washed
• Yard maintenance (weeded, mowed, bushes cut, etc.)
• Power wash porch, walkways and patio
• Clean garage
• Touch up paint
• Repairs and replacements
• Replace burnt out lightbulbs
• Change out locks/keys

By no means do you have to check every box off of the list above for your landlord. However, taking care of some of these tasks can help you receive some money back on your deposit.

Asking your landlord for their move-out inspection checklist is a great way to start preparing your own to-do list before you depart. You can also make your landlord aware of your intention to earn back some of your deposit by going the extra mile with cleaning and preparing the rental for the next family.

More Like This: Are you PCSing to a new location and need to break your lease early? Learn all about How to Give Notice to Your Landlord.

Tenant Move-Out Checklist

Landlords enjoy renting to military families because they are celebrated for leaving homes in good condition. To uphold that reputation, here are some basic tasks to complete to help out your landlord and potentially receive back a bigger chunk of your deposit.

• Yard: Before you move out, take some time to tidy up the front and back yard. This includes mowing, pulling weeds along the sidewalk and picking up any trash that the landlord will have to remove before the next tenant arrives.
• Carpets: Most landlords would be thrilled to see proof that you had the carpets cleaned before moving out. However, just in case they have a preferred cleaning company, double-check with them to make sure it’s okay. Professional carpet cleaners can deodorize pet smells, and they can even tend to stains and bleach stains to prevent the carpet from having to be completely replaced.
• Walls: Scuffs, scratches and holes should all be erased and repaired. You can use a magic eraser sponge on the baseboard and wall scuffs. If you want to go the extra mile, you can ask your landlord if they have spare paint that matches your walls and touch up spots where there are any scratches or patched holes that need to be painted over.
• Plumbing: Invest in some Drano ® Max Gel Clog Remover and clear your pipes.
• Double Check: If you pay for professional services like move-out cleaning or carpet cleaning, review all the work done before you pay the company. Just because they “cleaned” doesn’t mean it was done correctly or well.

Before you begin cleaning or hiring a cleaning company, get in writing from your landlord exactly what you need to do to receive back your deposit. This way, you can make sure you are focusing on tasks that actually impact your deposit return.

Money Saving Tip: When every penny counts, look for deals on cleaning services. There are good deals out there waiting for you! Or you can post your jobs on places like Thumbtack and state your budget for the project.

How to Dispute Landlord Charges

Keep in mind some landlords never return full security deposits. Your original lease should have detailed information regarding your security deposit and move-out expectations. If you are concerned about your landlord’s move-out policies, you can search for landlord/tenant laws regarding deposit returns in your state.

Knowing your rights is an essential step before you approach your landlord about your concerns. However, if the law says they are allowed to keep part or all of your deposit as a clean fee, and you signed a lease agreement, there isn’t much to be argued.

If you don’t agree with the itemization of the deductions from your deposit, you can do one or all of these three things:

• Write a kind but professional letter to your landlord disputing the deductions in question with thoughtful and proof-oriented documentation (receipts, pictures, etc.).
• Ask your installation’s local housing office what you should do. They will be able to guide you!
• Contact the local county or city housing authority and let them know what is happening while also asking them what you should do.

More Like This: Disagreeing with your landlord at move-out time about your security deposit is a hassle that can be avoided from the beginning! Before you move into your next rental, check out our top tips for Interviewing Potential Landlords.

Find Military Housing Through AHRN

Join us at AHRN for access to exceptional military housing options near your next installation! Whether you are renting or buying your next home, we are committed to making your next PCS military move go as smoothly as possible by connecting you with homes that match your preferences and needs.