How to Get Your Security Deposit Back When You Move Out

Your security deposit is often one of the biggest chunks of money you'll ever hand a landlord, and getting it back mostly comes down to three things: proof of the condition you moved in with, a clean and repaired unit when you leave, and following the move-out steps in your lease on time.

Rules on deposits (deadlines, allowed deductions, what counts as normal wear and tear) vary by state and city, and your lease matters too. Every dollar figure here is a made-up example to show the math, not a typical amount. This is general information, not legal advice. Check your lease and your local tenant rules.

Quick checklist

• ☐ Find your move-in photos
• ☐ Read the lease move-out terms
• ☐ Give notice in writing
• ☐ Clean, fix, take dated photos
• ☐ Track the refund date

The steps below walk through each one.

Step 1: Find your move-in proof

Before you start cleaning, gather what you have:

• Your lease, and any move-in checklist or condition report you signed
• Move-in photos or video (check your phone's camera roll around your move-in date)
• The receipt or record showing how much deposit you paid
• Any emails or texts about repairs during your stay

If you never did a move-in report, your move-out photos become even more important.

Step 2: Read the move-out section of your lease

Look for:

• Notice: how many days' written notice you need to give, and how to send it
• Cleaning expectations: some leases list specific items, like carpet cleaning or oven cleaning
• Key return: where and when keys, fobs, and garage openers go back
• Forwarding address: how to give it, so the refund or itemized list can reach you

Put the notice date and move-out date on your calendar the day you decide to move.

Step 3: Give notice in writing

Send notice the way the lease says (email, portal, or letter), keep a copy, and include your forwarding address. Ask if you can schedule a walk-through with the landlord before you hand back keys.

Step 4: Clean and fix the small stuff

A room-by-room checklist helps:

• Kitchen: inside the fridge and freezer, oven and stovetop, cabinets, counters, sink
• Bathroom: toilet, tub or shower, mirror, sink, floor, and under the sink
• Everywhere: floors vacuumed or mopped, baseboards wiped, windowsills, light switches, and closets emptied
• Walls: remove nails and hooks if your lease asks, and patch small holes only if you can do it neatly
• Small fixes: replace burned-out bulbs and dead smoke-detector batteries
• Trash: take everything out, including anything left on a balcony or in storage

Don't try big repairs or painting unless the lease or landlord says it's OK. A bad paint match can cost more than leaving it.

Step 5: Take move-out photos and video

After cleaning, walk through every room with your phone:

• Wide shot of each room, then close-ups of floors, walls, appliances (open them), counters, and fixtures
• Any damage that was already there at move-in, next to your move-in photo if you have it
• Meter readings, if you're responsible for utilities

Make sure the files keep their dates, and back them up somewhere besides your phone.

Step 6: Return keys and close out bills

• Return every key and get a receipt or a text confirming it
• Schedule final readings and cancel or transfer utilities and internet for the day after you leave
• Return internet equipment if you rented it, and keep the return receipt

Step 7: Track the refund

Write down the date you returned keys and gave your forwarding address. Many places set a deadline for the landlord to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, so look up your local rule and note that date too.

Example math (made-up numbers):

• Deposit paid: $1,200
• Example deduction listed: cleaning, $150
• Example deduction listed: carpet stain, $100
• Example refund: $950

If a deduction looks wrong, compare it to your photos and lease, then ask the landlord in writing for an explanation or receipts. Keep the tone calm and stick to facts. If you can't sort it out, a local tenant resource can explain your options.

Don't spend it before it arrives

Treat the old deposit as money that may come back late or partly. Don't count on it to pay your new deposit. Save for the new place separately, and when the refund lands, put it toward a goal: refill your emergency fund, cover new-apartment basics, or pay down a balance.

Common snags

• No move-in photos: take thorough move-out photos and keep every message with the landlord.
• Leaving cleaning to the last night: start a week ahead, one room per day.
• Forgetting the forwarding address: the refund can't find you.
• Final bills after you've left: final utility bills can show up weeks later, so budget for them.

If you want a spreadsheet for this: the Sinking Funds & Savings Goals Tracker ($5, Excel and Google Sheets) helps you save for the new place without counting on the old deposit. The Monthly Bill Tracker helps you list final bills, cancellations, and your new bills with due dates. A notebook works too. Planning the whole move? See How to Budget for Moving to a New Apartment.

Honest note: I make these templates and sell them under Cedar & Ledger, so I'd earn from a purchase. All dollar amounts above are examples only. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Check your lease and local rules.

Try the free moving out cost calculator →

Related template: read about the bill tracker template

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