Renting an Apartment: Don't Get a Costly Surprise When It's Time to Move
For any nail or tack holes that you might have made in the apartment walls, try toothpaste to fill them in. It's something you'll have on hand anyway, so it won't cost any extra. Of course this won't work if the walls are too much darker than the toothpaste, but a trip to the hardware store and a couple of bucks can get you a tube of caulk that is meant specifically for filling in nail holes.
Upon moving in you will receive a move-in inspection sheet. This sheet is for you to make comments about anything that is damaged or stained/dirty. You will want to take pictures of any carpet, wall, or other damages that you could be blamed for later. With a photo record you cannot be held responsible for the damages. Make sure that a copy of the photos is submitted with your sheet to the rental office and that you keep a copy for yourself.
Any time that you have a mess or spill on the carpet use a cleaner right away. If at all possible don't let it settle in the carpet, as it will be much more difficult to get out later. There are products on the market to specifically get rid of red stains, such as Red Erase, which can be particularly difficult to remove. If even that fails it might still be a good idea to see if a professional steam cleaning company could dye the spots out to save you from being charged for re-carpeting the entire room.
Make sure you read your lease's exact wording about putting in your notice to move. I once had to pay an entire month of rent because I thought I had a thirty day notice, but it turned out the notice had to be in by the 1st of the month, not just thirty days in advance.
I have learned these little tricks from my own bad experiences. Hopefully my easily avoidable mistakes will be able to save you some cash and hassle.
Published by Laura Munion
I am a freelance writer in Ohio. I specialize in writing about health and fitness topics. My areas of expertise are dental health, autism, and fitness. I have a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering... View profile
- Before Renting an ApartmentWhen you are considering renting an apartment there are several things that must be taken into consideration. Such as rent, size, location, amenities and if a roommate is an option for you and allowed by the prospecti...
- The Cons of Renting an ApartmentDo not be caught off guard when renting an apartment. Consider the following cons as well as the pros before making a final decision on renting an apartment.
Renting an Apartment After BankruptcyWhen you apply for an apartment to rent, the landlord will run a credit check to verify his or her standards for renting, and often bankruptcy will preclude the possibility of b...- Steps in Renting an Apartment Despite Bad CreditThe importance of having an excellent credit cannot be denied. Creditors are not the only ones who use them for approving applications. Employers and even landlords use credit reports in checking an individual's backg...
- 15 Considerations when Renting an ApartmentThis article discusses 15 areas of concern for potential apartment renters.
- The Average Cost of Renting an Apartment in Bangkok, Thailand: All Types for All B...
- The Basics of Renting an Apartment
- The Disadvantages of Renting an Apartment: It Isn't for Everyone
- Tips for Renting an Apartment When You Have a Disability
- What Every Crohn's Patient Needs to Look for Before Renting an Apartment
- Questions to Ask when Renting an Apartment: Ten Topics You May Forget
- Save Money on Bills During College while Renting an Apartment