You want to feel comfortable in your living space as a renter. For many, this involves adding decorative elements that help to individualize a residence. But if you’re a tenant, the amount of your security deposit you receive returned depends greatly on the decorating decisions you make.
Your lease agreement typically specifies which changes you may make without the landlord’s consent and which ones do. However, if you are unclear, you could unintentionally make adjustments that cause a reduction in your security deposit.
It is essential to understand what is permitted and what is not. Find out how to avoid losing your security deposit by being judicious with your decorating choices and avoiding repair fees.
Causing Damage to the Property
Since tenants’ design choices frequently result in damage, landlords frequently take money out of security deposits. It is essential to observe that the damage must be severe enough to necessitate repairs. For instance, the landlord can deduct the cost of repairs from your security deposit if you placed bulky paintings or shelves on the walls that left significant holes, used adhesives that harmed paint or wallpaper, or made additional modifications that deteriorated the property.
The total amount of the deduction will depend on how much damage there is. For the sake of avoiding disagreements about security deposit deductions, it is imperative that you carefully research your lease agreement and comprehend the specifications for design choices and property maintenance.
Failure to Restore the Original Condition
What if, after making alterations to the decor, your lease agreement required you to restore the property to its initial state at the end of the term? In that situation, your landlord may utilize your security deposit to pay for the costs associated with restoring the property to its initial condition.
One of the most frequently asked questions by renters is whether or not they are permitted to paint the interior of their rental home. It is understandable that this is a common concern, as altering the paint color is a simple way to personalize a room or a whole house.
However, prior to picking up a paintbrush, you must first review your lease or communicate with your landlord. Many tenancies stipulate that you must return the property in its original condition, including the original wall color.
Violating the Lease Terms
The security deposit may be withheld if your lease agreement contained specific requirements on decor choices (such as no painting or nailing things to the wall), and you disregarded them without the landlord’s prior consent. What was and wasn’t permitted for decor would have been specified in your lease conditions. Many tenants do not consider the potential wall damage caused by mounting framed artwork, televisions, and other wall-mounted décor items. Even a few nail holes in a wall can result in a reduction of the security deposit, and the cost of restorations rises in proportion to the extent of the damage.
To protect your deposit, it’s crucial to plan your decor with the end in mind. You could use nail-free hangers or refrain from mounting anything on the wall. Atop an accent table or cabinet, large pieces of artwork or televisions will function just as well and won’t cause any damage to the walls.
Excessive Wear and Tear
Wear and tear that occurs during tenancy is commonplace for rental properties. However, if your choice of décor causes excessive damage, such as heavy furniture causing damage to the floors, or if you fail to maintain the property, the landlord may retain a portion of your security deposit to cover the cost of repairs or replacements.
To prevent floor damage, it is advisable to enlist assistance when moving heavier furniture and to use protective material, such as a blanket or moving pad, underneath. To make moving your decor easier and less likely to result in damage, especially if you move your furniture around frequently, think about making an investment in felt cushioning for the bottoms.
Cleaning Costs
If your decor choices or general living practices leave the property in a state of disrepair or excessive filthiness beyond normal wear and tear, your landlord may use a portion of your security deposit to cover cleaning costs.
It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll eventually move out of a rental property, so when decorating, keep in mind that you’ll need to return the home or apartment to its original state. The fewer repairs required, the more likely you are to receive your entire security deposit returned.
As a renter, pay close attention to your lease and, if necessary, the explanations provided by your landlord for keeping your security deposit. Legal action can be taken against deductions that you feel are unlawful or don’t follow local laws. Providing evidence of the property’s condition when you moved in and out can help you dispute the deductions. In order to comprehend your landlord’s perspective and possibly come to an agreement, it’s also a good idea to communicate with them.
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Originally Published on September 10, 2021
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