What Happens If You Leave an Apartment a Mess?
Moving out of a rental apartment is a big undertaking that involves more than just packing up your belongings and handing over the keys. As a tenant, you have a responsibility to leave the unit in reasonably clean condition, as close to how it was when you first moved in. But what exactly happens if you vacate an apartment and leave behind a big mess? Let's explore the potential consequences and why it's in your best interest to tidy up before moving out.
You May Lose Your Security Deposit
When you first moved into your apartment, you likely paid a security deposit - usually equivalent to one or two months' rent. This money is held by the landlord for the duration of your lease to cover any damages beyond normal wear and tear.
If you leave the apartment filthy or damaged when moving out, the landlord has the right to deduct necessary cleaning and repair costs from your deposit before returning the remainder to you.
Common issues that could justify withholding part or all of a security deposit include:
Excessive dirt, grime, trash or personal belongings left behind
Stains, burns or other damage to carpets and flooring
Broken appliances, fixtures, windows or doors
Holes in walls beyond small nail holes
Lingering foul odors from pets, smoke, or garbage
To maximize the chances of getting your full deposit back, be proactive. Thoroughly clean the apartment. You should even consider hiring an apartment cleaning service.
Patch any holes you make, and alert your landlord to pre-existing damage before moving out. Taking photos to document the unit's condition can also help avoid disputes.
The Landlord Could Pursue Additional Charges
In extreme cases where a departing tenant leaves an apartment severely trashed, the security deposit may not be sufficient to cover the landlord's cleaning and repair costs.
Excessive filth or damage, like unattended pet waste, rotting food, broken windows, or appliances, could result in expenses that exceed the deposit amount.
If this happens, the landlord may have the right to bill the former tenant for the additional costs.
In some cases, they could even potentially take legal action in small claims court to recover the money required to restore the unit to a habitable condition for the next renter. While laws vary by location, it's best to avoid this situation altogether by not leaving a big mess.
Your Rental History and Credit Could Suffer
Leaving an apartment in poor condition can also have long-term consequences for a renter.
If a landlord has to go after a former tenant for additional cleaning or repair costs, they will likely report it as a negative mark on that tenant's rental history.
Future landlords often contact previous ones for referrals or rental verification. If a prior landlord discloses that you failed to clean or caused damages, it could make finding a new apartment much more difficult.
Some landlords may even screen for past evictions or collection attempts related to tenant damages.
Additionally, if the landlord has to involve a collection agency to recover money owed for cleaning and repairs beyond the security deposit, it could potentially show up as a negative mark on your credit report as well.
Poor credit can impact your ability to secure housing, credit cards, car loans, and more for years to come. It's not worth the risk.
Habitability Concerns and Potential Eviction
In the most severe cases, leaving an apartment excessively messy could potentially lead to an eviction.
Every lease requires tenants to keep their unit in a safe and habitable condition. While some clutter is normal, extreme filth like rotting food, uncontrolled garbage, pest infestations or mold growth could violate the lease terms and local health codes.
If the landlord discovers the unit in unlivable condition when a tenant moves out, they may have grounds to pursue a formal eviction for violating the lease, even after the fact.
This would leave a very serious stain on the tenant's record. While rare, it illustrates the importance of basic cleaning and upkeep.
How to Avoid Issues When Moving Out
To prevent losing your security deposit or facing other problems after moving out, be proactive about leaving your apartment clean and undamaged:
Review your lease for any specific cleaning requirements and charges
Refer to your move-in inspection report to document prior damage
Allow ample time for a thorough move-out cleaning, including appliances, bathrooms and floors
Patch any holes you made in the walls
Alert your landlord to any major damage that occurred during your tenancy
Take photos to document the apartment's condition when you vacate
Consider hiring professional apartment cleaners if pressed for time
If your apartment is clean and free of damage when you turn in your keys, you'll have the best chance of getting your full security deposit refunded and a positive rental reference.
By taking steps to leave your former home tidy and in good repair, you can close out your lease on good terms and move on to your next chapter without lingering hassles from leaving a mess behind. A little extra cleaning goes a long way.