Lose the keys, not your money - What to know before leaving your NYC apartment (with checklist)

We had previously covered what to keep in mind before moving into a NYC apartment. One of the things to know is that you are required to make a "security deposit"  before you move. This is to be used by your landlord at the end of your tenancy, when you leave, to cover any repairs or extraordinary cleaning they have to do to the apartment because of the condition the tenant left it in. When you leave, the landlord does not automatically gets to keep that money. In fact, there are specific things they are supposed to do and prove to you if they are going to keep any of it. And, there are things you can do to ensure you will get the whole deposit, or most of it, back.

At the end of the article we have posted a useful checklist you can as a guide (make sure to follow your lease or rental agreement terms).

And if you're moving overseas, check out our moving timeline/checklist.

The first thing to do when you have decided to leave, even before you have another place, is to go over the lease or rental agreement terms. Look at how much advanced notice you are supposed to give and give notice in writing (in a traceable method, usually a certified letter). If you are breaking the lease before it's over, you may have to pay a penalty (sometimes as much a whole month's rent). So make sure to go over those terms again and understand them.

So, how do you get your security deposit back?

You better have saved any move-in walk-through/inspection you had, so that there is an evidence-way to compare the condition of the apartment from when you received it to how you leave it. This includes photos, videos, and reports given at the time.

Document any cleaning and repair you do before returning the apartment. This includes again taking photos, videos, saving receipts.

Do not use the security deposit as last month's rent, or you may receive a bill (or even be sued) for any repairs or excessive cleaning that the landlord has to do and pay out of pocket.

The landlord is not supposed to keep the deposit for normal tear and wear - read this outside link to see what this normally means.

Those are the main considerations. Use the infographic below for a timeline and checklist of what do before vacating your NYC apartment.

And if you're moving overseas, check out our moving timeline/checklist.

Apartment Move-Out Checklist: