Apartment Living - Part VI

So you've read all of the parts on the Apartment Living page of this blog, but have decided that it is time to move out. The key question on your mind is "how do I get my security deposit back?!? I NEED that money..." Some suggestions, because most landlords look at how much work needs to be done before they can "re-rent" the unit. The cleaner it is left and the less amount of work to refresh it, the more $$$ returned. Keep in mind that the security deposit will not likely be returned the day of a move out, but within a month after. It all depends on what needs to be done to give the keys to the next resident.

First, we need to understand what a security deposit is, and then how it applies. The best way to define what a security deposit is, can be found on Wikipedia [link], but I'm going to summarize it as to it applies to living in an apartment.

A security deposit is a sum of money held in trust...  to ensure the cost of repair in relation to any damage explicitly specified in the contract and that did in fact occur.

Basically it is money that the landlord/property manager uses to pay for the revitalization of an apartment when vacated, the resident is "pre-paying" it. Know up front, not ALL of the deposit is given back, so here are some suggestions on maximizing the amount of the security deposit to get back:

1. Scrub the vinyl floors. Not just sweep with a broom, but scrub the floors.
2. Pull out the refrigerator and stove and clean everything that has collected under them.
3. Wash the sides of the fridge and stove.
4. Clean the oven, stove top elements, knobs, inside the fridge, sinks, and all countertops.
5. Vacuum the carpets or get a carpet cleaner to do it for you. Yes, it costs a little to do that, but you'll pay for it regardless.
6. Scrub the tubs, showers, and toilets.
7. Patch the nail holes from all of the pictures/art you hung up.
8. Clean under where your washer and dryer were, if you had them.
9. Wipe down the baseboards as dust and dirt has likely built up.
10. Run a broom along the ceiling to remove the cobwebs.
11. Take all of your "stuff" with you. Leaving items in the cupboards or even just in the room causes a lot of work for the people revitalizing the unit.

Basically, do a spring cleaning the way grandma did "back in the day." First impressions are important, so the first time the landlord/property manager inspects a vacant apartment, the more that is likely to be given back. As mentioned, it won't be ALL issued back, there are some things that will be deducted from the security deposit, and there might be an invoice if it costs more than was put down. Those things typically are for fees like:

• A cleaning person to do what you should have done (listed above).
• Replacing carpet or vinyl due to excessive stains or tears.
• Professional carpet cleaners to deep clean the rug.
• Repairing things that are broken (doorknobs, doors, baseboards, counters, appliances).
• Excessive plastering needed for holes in the walls.
• Removing oil or other fluid stains on the garage floor.
• Having to hire a professional painter if you changed the colors of the walls (read the lease on this one, it can be costly if it is not returned to the original look).

Typically there is a MOVE OUT inspection, and a MOVE IN inspection to survey the property. Anything that shows up during those inspections is noted, and the person responsible is charged. The key point here, is that the more diligence a resident takes while moving out, the more of the security deposit they will get back...

ZAP!!! Saving Electricity

As mentioned in Save the Earth vs. Utility Bill Reduction, this is about ways to reduce electric usage. Reducing usage benefits the environment because the power plant can cut back on generating it so they don't deplete the coal, oil, or natural gas they use. Fortunately other ways are being used more with renewable sources like wind turbines, solar panels, and water wheels. Another benefit means more $$$ stays in your wallet. The key items that use electricity in a house fall into one of three categories: lighting, climate control, and appliances. What small things in each category would help reduce usage and save some $$$?

Lighting

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I learned a lot of common sense things from grandparents that lived through the Depression. I often heard "turn off the lights when you leave the room, don't turn one on just to walk through a room, use a nightlight in the hall at night instead of turning on the overhead, hit the switch off and open the drapes." All of them are great ways to start diminishing usage of lights. A few more suggestions:

• Use natural sunlight as much as possible by opening the blinds or drapes in the most used areas.
• In large rooms, use a focused lamp for any work or reading instead of using an overhead. A floor or table lamp uses one light bulb while overheads typically use several.
• Switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps or LEDs. More detailed info is available on the CFL vs Incandescent entry.

Climate Control

The Save the Earth vs. Utility Bill Reduction entry already mentions that the largest energy drain is due to heating and cooling. It also explains that changing your air filters, installing a programmable thermostat, and closing vents in unused rooms can help reduce energy use. An air conditioner makes sense for how it draws electricity, but "I have a gas furnace." Guess what? It uses electricity too. Keep in mind the furnace recommendations on the Thermostat Settings. The point is to turn the furnace down to save energy and $$$, and put on a layer of clothing.

The more you set back, the more you save

Set back	8 hours per day	16 hours per day	24 hours per day
5°	5%	10%	15%
7°	7%	14%	21%
11°	11%	22%	33%
13°	13%	26%	39%

A key understanding about staying cool, is that air circulation creates the feeling of staying cool without requiring a lot of energy to do it. Ceiling and floor fans consume far less electricity than an air conditioner. Estimates show that the average ceiling fan uses 90% less electricity than the A/C unit. So does opening windows and creating a cross-draft of air through the living space. The Thermostat Settings entry recommends temperature settings for both the furnace and the air conditioner. To save even more electricity, if you are going out, turn off the fans. They don't truly change the temperature of the room, the air moving across your body makes you feel cooler. Leaving them on while you are gone is a waste of electricity. 

Appliances

Appliances account for nearly 20% of electricity bills. Many appliances (stereos, DVD/VCRs, computers, toasters, lamps) draw a trace of electricity even when not in use or are turned "off." Unplug any appliances and electronics that are not being used to more significantly reduce electricity usage. If you are going to be gone for a while, unplug the microwave, coffee maker, radios, etc. until you get back. Sure, it isn't a ton, but if you have several unused items plugged in, it adds up.

In the kitchen, consider how much you are going to cook and the "tool" that you will use. There is a large difference between cooking a small dish on/in the stove, using a crock pot or slow cooker, and even a toaster oven for small pizzas or casseroles. See the Toaster Oven vs. Crock Pot vs. Stove entry for more detail. Baking in the stove during the summer means that your kitchen will heat up causing your air conditioner to run more.
 

Computers are also in this category. Turning on and off a computer takes less energy than when it is left running for a long time. Most new computers and hardware have energy-saving settings to automatically turn off if they have not been used for a certain period. Computers should be turned off if they aren't used for more than 2 hours, including overnight. A lot of people use laptops on battery supply only, and they go into sleep/standby mode. But guess what? You will eventually have to plug them in to charge, so they really don't "reduce" electricity usage.

In summary, the majority of the things we have in our homes depend on electricity (even the natural gas furnace and hot water heater). By saving every little bit, it adds up to a lot of energy savings and keeps more in your wallet. Some other minor suggestions are:

• Use an insulating blanket around the hot water heater
• Install foam insulation tubes around exposed water lines
• Keep the refrigerator coils clean. Build up of dirt/dust prevents them from working efficiently
• Buy EnergyStar products
• Change the air filters for the furnace and air conditioner
• Unplug what isn't used or won't be used for a while 

It isn't easy, trust me. But if you tackle only a few things per month, it will make noticeable changes. But my main point is that it all adds up in the end, look at the big picture about saving the planet for the future for the kids, and keeping a little in the pocket for you.