5 Tips on How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

5 Tips on How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

Follow these tips so your landlord doesn't pull a fast one on you.

hcornish1
hcornish1 Aug 29, 2018
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Everyone knows how shady apartment complexes can be when it comes to security deposits. If you want to get your money when you move out, follow these 5 tips on how to get your security deposit back.

Carefully Fill Out the Apartment Move-In Checklist

When you move into a new apartment, your landlord will provide you with a move-in checklist where you can list current damages to the home. It is so important to carefully go through each item on the checklist and ensure that it is in great condition. If there are any issues with your apartment, you must document it on the checklist, otherwise, you will be charged for it when you move out, even if you didn't cause the damage. Don't dig yourself into a hole before you even officially move into your apartment.

Read Your Lease Thoroughly

When you sign your lease, make sure you read it carefully and thoroughly so you can see any hidden agreements in the lease. If you just blindly sign your lease, you could end up violating it and losing your security deposit along the way. For example, many apartment complexes require you to give notice if you do not plan on renewing your lease. If you fail to give notice, you will be automatically renewed for another year. Then when you try to cancel your renewed lease, they can keep your security deposit for breaking the lease.

Take Care of Your Carpets

One of the biggest reasons that tenants don't get their security deposits back is because their carpets are a mess. You might spill drinks or food on it, your pet might make a mess, or just normal wear and tear can happen. Make sure you read more about how to take special care of your carpets. You should always clean up messes right away and with the proper carpet cleaning materials so you don't pay for it with your security deposit.

Take Pictures Before You Move Out

It is so important to take pictures and document every part of your house that your landlord may try to charge you for. Take pictures of the walls, doors, floors, appliances, and anything else you can think of. This ensures that you have a record of exactly what your place looked like when you moved out. If your landlord tries to charge you for damage that wasn't there when you moved out, you can prove it with the pictures you've taken.

Be Present During the Walkthrough

You have the right to be present while your apartment company walks through your apartment to report any damages. You should definitely be present for this to ensure they aren't making up damages to get more money out of you. If you are present, you will know exactly what you are being charged for and won't be charged for anything that you shouldn't be charged for.

hcornish1
hcornish1 Aug 29, 2018

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13 Weird Body Changes During Pregnancy That Nobody Tells You About

Getting pregnant is life-changing. But there are some things that happen during pregnancy that may shock you.

hcornish1
hcornish1 Sep 25, 2018
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Whether you were planning to get pregnant or it was a huge surprise, your body is about to go through some serious body changes during pregnancy. Or maybe, you're just curious about what will happen when you do get pregnant. Obviously, your tummy is going to expand. But there are some other weird and unexpected changes that you will experience. Here are 10 weird body changes that will happen while you're going through your pregnancy.

Hair Growth

Due to an increase in male hormones during pregnancy, many women will experience tons of new hair growth in different places during pregnancy. You may find hair on your face, chest, or abdomen where you normally wouldn't see a ton of hair. Don't worry though – this new hair will go away once your pregnancy is over.

Voice Change

Due to the increase of certain hormones, your voice will actually change during pregnancy. The hormones estrogen and progesterone affect your lung capacity and muscle control, which can cause swelling in your vocal chords. When vocal chords become swollen, it's more difficult to reach higher notes that you would normally be able to reach. Also, because your vocal chords are swollen, the tissue around them is more fragile. This means if you try to hit higher notes, you might experience a painful tear.

Bloating, Bloating, Bloating

Your tummy isn't the only part of your body that will bloat during pregnancy. You may experience bloating or sweating all over your body. This is a result of excess fluids that your body is retaining during pregnancy. The bloating may also be caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone, which slows digestion to ensure your baby is getting the nutrients he or she needs to survive in the womb. Check out maternity clothes, such as Blue Sky Scrubs, for clothing that will be comfortable during pregnancy.

Itchiness

Due to the swelling and bloating all over your body, your skin is going to stretch. When skin stretches rapidly, it becomes dry and irritated, and can also lead to excessive itchiness. To reduce the itchiness, make sure you take showers with cool water. When your skin is feeling dry, apply moisturizer to reduce the itchiness and leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft.

Vagina Changes Color

Yes, your vagina really does change color during pregnancy. Due to an increase of blood flow to your vagina, it may turn a blue-ish color starting just six weeks after conception. Don't worry though, your vagina will return to its normal color after you give birth.

Congestion

During pregnancy, you will have an increase of fluids in your body due to severe changes in hormones. This includes an increase in mucus, which will lead to a stuffed up and congested nose, coughing, and other cold-like symptoms during pregnancy.

Bad Breath

As we've already learned, pregnancy causes a big change in hormones which has a huge effect on the body. One of the more unfortunate effects is an increase of bacteria in the mouth, which leads to bad breath. To minimize the bad breath, just make sure you're seeing your dentist for cleanings, brushing and flossing daily, and using mouthwash as needed.

Brain Fog

While there is no clear reason why women experience brain fog during pregnancy, many women have reported it. This brain fog includes excessive memory loss during pregnancy and an increase in forgetfulness.

Breasts Get Bigger

It's fairly common knowledge that your breasts will get bigger during pregnancy. In fact, they may increase as much as two cups in size. In addition to your breasts getting bigger, they may feel very sensitive, tender, and sore. You may also experience itchiness due to the skin on your breasts rapidly expanding. You'll want to buy supportive bras that will fit your newly enlarged breasts to minimize any pain you might feel.

Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating is a very common symptom of pregnancy. The increase in perspiration is caused by increased blood flow and a faster metabolism during pregnancy. These things cause you to sweat more and feel as though you are being extremely physically active when, in fact, you haven't moved much all day. It makes sense – creating another human is pretty hard work for the body.

Changes in Bones and Muscles

In order to prepare for giving birth, your body will have an increase of a hormone called relaxin. This hormone allows the pubic bone to separate and the uterus muscles to relax. This process is necessary for the eventual giving birth part of pregnancy. However, relaxin also has an effect on other parts of your body which can lead to reported joint and muscle pain during pregnancy.

Your Skin May Break Out

One of the biggest causes of adult acne is hormone imbalances. With all the changes in hormone levels you experience during pregnancy, it only makes sense that many women experience breakouts while they're pregnant. While a lot of your normal acne treatments may not work to combat this type of pregnancy-related acne, there are some pregnancy-safe acne treatments that you can try out.

You're Going to Pee a Lot

As your tummy uterus expands for your growing baby, this puts an increased amount of pressure on your bladder. Think about how when you have to pee and you press against your bladder, you suddenly really have to pee. This is a constant feeling when you're pregnant, and only gets worse as the pregnancy progresses.

hcornish1
hcornish1 Sep 25, 2018

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