--- title: How to Protect Your Security Deposit When Moving into a New Apartment description: Just put a hefty security deposit to move into your new apartment? Let's make sure you get it all back! Here's how to protect your security deposit. image: https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/protecting%20your%20security%20deposit.jpeg --- [![Group 5068](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Group%205068.svg "Group 5068")](https://www.hometeampm.com) - [About](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Our Company It’s been over 20 years and our goal hasn’t changed](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Our Team Meet the Home Team Property Management Team](https://www.hometeampm.com/our-team) - [Why Choose Us No matter your property management goals, we will get you there](https://www.hometeampm.com/why-choose-us) - [Careers Take a look at our open positions and feel free to submit an application if your experience is a match](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Vendors We are continually seeking out qualified, professional vendors to fulfill goods or maintenance contracts](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/vendor-relations) - [Connect With Us Reach out to our expert team to see how we can assist you with your property management needs](https://www.hometeampm.com/contact-us) - [Testimonials Read HomeTeam Property Management client testimonials here](https://www.hometeampm.com/testimonials) - [MANAGEMENT SERVICES](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services) - [Residential View our residential property management services](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/residential-management) - [Commercial View our commercial property management services](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/commercial-management) - [Marketing View how we market your property to prospective tenants](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/marketing) - [Accounting We specialize in complete financial services for our property owners](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/accounting) - [Maintenance Property maintenance is one of the most important aspects of maximizing your investment](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/maintenance) - [Leasing Our leasing department utilizes the latest in application and credit screening procedures](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/leasing) - [Free Rental Analysis Get a free rental valuation of your investment property](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services) - [Get a Quote Learn how much it would cost to manage your property](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/getting-started) - [OWNERS](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners) - [Marketing Your Property Learn how we market your property to ensure the maximum exposure to qualified buyers](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/marketing-your-property) - [Renting Your Property We provide you with guidance on how to ready your property to compete in the ever-changing rental market](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/renting-your-property) - [Maintaining Your Property The best approach to maintenance is preventative maintenance, and this is HomeTeam Property Management policy](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/maintaining-your-property) - [No - Eviction Guarantee We are so confident in our tenant selection process that we include a No-Eviction Guarantee](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/no-eviction-guarantee) - [Free Rental Analysis Get a free rental valuation of your investment property](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners) - [Owner Portal Login Sign-in to monitor your account](https://hometeam.appfolio.com/oportal/users/log_in) - [Get a Quote Learn how much it would cost to manage your property](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/getting-started) - [TENANTS](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants) - [Rental Search Find your next place to live in San Diego](https://www.hometeampm.com/properties) - [Tenant Portal Login Sign-in to monitor your account](https://hometeam.appfolio.com/connect/users/sign_in) - [Pay Your Rent Paying rent on time has never been easier](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/pay-your-rent) - [Future Tenants Important information for tenants wanting to lease a property from HomeTeam](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/future-tenants) - [Move Out We want your move-out to be a pleasant and successful one](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/move-out) - [Notice To Vacate Moving out? 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And you can start on *Day One*. Here's how anyone [moving to a new apartment](https://www.hometeampm.com/how-to-perfectly-plan-your-apartment-move-in-day) or rental home can protect their security deposit during the move-in process. ## Read Your Lease The number one smartest thing you can do (ideally before you pick the apartment and sign the papers) is to read the lease. Your lease is a legally binding contract, and the terms of the lease define what of your security deposit can be withheld and for what reasons.  With a good landlord, this part of your lease should be a quick and straightforward read. While there's a ton of [useful information in your lease](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/090315/millennials-guide-how-read-lease.asp) you should know, the details regarding repairs and security deposits are key to protecting your security deposit. Take a look at the terms mentioned regarding your security deposit: the amount, how it will be held (likely escrow or bond), and any definition of qualified deductions.  ![rental lease questions](https://www.hometeampm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/rental%20lease%20questions-1.jpg?width=1254&name=rental%20lease%20questions-1.jpg) ## Do the Move-In Checklist On your very first day, before the moving truck even catches up with you, you'll want to do the move-in checklist. Your building manager should give you a blank checklist that has a slot for every aspect of the apartment. This is a copy of the same checklist your building manager will use when they do the security deposit inspection. The purpose of the move-in checklist is for you to identify any existing damage and make sure you're not held responsible for it later. So take the move-in checklist seriously and do it as soon as you arrive. ### Check Every Item on the List - Thoroughly For every item on the checklist, make sure to look very carefully all the way around the feature and be broad in interpretation. If the checklist says "Bedroom 1 - Closet", don't just check the doorway for scuffs. Make sure the hanging bar is secure, that the shelf doesn't wiggle, that there are no scuffs on the walls inside the closet, that the light fixture works, and that there's no damage to the baseboards. Be thorough, don't let a single scuff, scratch, or loose hinge get past you. ### Take Your Own Photos It really helps if you can [take clear, well-lit photos](https://moving.tips/bonus-tips-and-tricks/what-to-photograph-when-moving/) of everything you check. You actually want to create a folder of these photos when you're done and save them for the entire time you live in the apartment. Especially if there is existing damage. ### Ask to See the Last Move-Out Checklist One of your legal tenant rights is to see the last checklist that was filled out on your apartment unit. This is the checklist that the building manager used to itemize any deductions to the last tenant's security deposit or any damages they decided not to deduct on. Do ask to see the last move-out checklist. It's useful to you for three reasons: - Identify what the building manager considers notable damage - what they look at - Locate any damage that hasn't been fixed yet and put it on your checklist - Know if any major damage/repairs have been done recently ![protecting your security deposit](https://www.hometeampm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/protecting%20your%20security%20deposit.jpeg?width=5168&name=protecting%20your%20security%20deposit.jpeg) ### Sign, Date, Keep a Copy Ideally, your building manager will have given you two blank copies of the checklist to fill out. If not, ask for a second copy or a Xerox of the checklist you just filled out. Keep this with your records and the file of photos you took. For your own records and proof of the apartment's starting condition. ## Prevent Damage on Moving Day The day you move in is actually the biggest risk to your security deposit. Except, perhaps, the day you move out. This is because you (or your movers) will be transporting several pieces of heavy furniture, possibly disassembled with rough edges putting your floors and walls at risk. Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks to protect your apartment from the rigors of moving in. ### Put Down Floor Covers If it's muddy outside or if your movers have to walk over grass and dirt, protect your floors. Put down a tarp, blanket, or sheet to make sure muddy shoes don't stain your new carpets and that rough edges can't scratch your hardwood floors. Your moving company might even have a floor covering ready for the purpose. ### Wrap Furniture in Blankets There's one surefire way to make sure your furniture doesn't scratch anything: wrap it in blankets. Your movers may have moving blankets you can use your own, The purpose is to ensure the edges and bottoms of furniture can't scrape anything, even if you do have a tight fit through a doorway. --- With these tips, you can avoid a number of preventable move-in day accidents. With move-in photos and careful protection of the walls and carpet during your move-in, you will significantly improve your chances of getting your full security deposit back when you eventually move out. For more insights into getting the most out of your tenant experience, [contact us today](https://www.hometeampm.com/contact-us/south-bay-office/)! ![icon](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Home_Team_2022/Group%205168%20(1).svg) #### SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS Stay in the know with the latest news form the leaders in property management ### Subscribe Here! ### Popular Posts #### The Great Pet Debate: To Allow Pets In Your... | HomeTeam Property Management | 30 January 2020 When you become a landlord, it is up to you to decide what you will... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/great-pet-debate-allow-pets-in-apartment) #### What Counts as a Rental Home Maintenance... | HomeTeam Property Management | 11 November 2020 Tenants are often shy about calling for repairs from their landlords... 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[READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/full-security-deposit-back) #### Commonly Overlooked Move-Out Tasks Before Final Inspection | HomeTeam Property Management  | 24 March 2020 Whether you just bought or rented a new home, moving out of your previous rental is an important... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/commonly-overlooked-move-out-tasks-final-inspection) #### Security Deposits - A Primer | HomeTeam Property Management  | 09 May 2018 In San Diego County, a security deposit is a fee, deposit or charge imposed at the beginning of a... 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