If you're moving out of your apartment, you will likely have to undergo an inspection. Most landlords simply use a house inspection to check if everything is still in good shape. After all, they don't want you to leave a dump with tons of damage behind if you caused the issues.
The result of this inspection will also determine whether or not you will be getting your deposit back. So, you are going to want to know what markers will contribute to failing your inspection. If any of these apply to you, make sure you remedy the situation.
Damage Done By Pets
Pets are great, but if they are causing damage to your apartment, your landlord will not be impressed. If you have any pets that have urine sprayed on the carpet, broken through your walls, or even destroyed corners of the space and included furniture, you'll want to make sure you've fixed this damage by the time you need to get the inspection.
Drill or Nail Holes in the Walls
If you hung up some art, storage, or devices, then you likely have nails up on the walls. You will need to get rid of these nails and the holes they created. You can fill them in before the inspection and just color match with the paint on your walls.
If you don't want to do this yourself, you can get a professional to do the job for you. It's particularly important to get this done if you didn't necessarily get permission to drill holes in the first place.
Busted HVAC System
You need to make sure that your HVAC is in good working order. Otherwise, you will be charged with this issue. If it's a larger issue, you're going to want to let your landlord know before they even come over to your place because they will likely do a full inspection.
Dirty Floors or Carpeting
If you have carpeting, you will want to send the carpets to the cleaners if they aren't already clean. You will also want to tidy up the floors and vacuum them before the inspection.
Built-In Appliances That Are Broken
If you have built-in appliances, such as the oven or dishwasher, then you will want to make sure they work. If they do not work, then you need to have them fixed before your landlord comes over to do the inspection.
These same amenities are meant to be offered to the next tenant, so it will be at your cost to make sure they are in working condition since they were your responsibility during your stay.
Water Damage on the Walls
If you were unable to catch some water damage, it's possible that you have some water damage on your walls. This can be attributed to plumbing issues or leaks from other tenants in the building. You will need to clean off this damage and dry the walls. Inform your landlord if you plan to do a repaint.
Nasty Bathrooms
If you want to get your deposit back, you will want to make sure you scrub your bathroom down before the inspection. Any stains, scum, or mold in your shower will be noted on the report and will be seen as your responsibility. You can clean the debris yourself or even hire a professional to do it for you.
Conclusion
A house inspection is just a part of the process of moving out. It's best to just prepare yourself to get a great report at the end of it all. If you have a hard time passing the inspection, you can work with your landlord to make sure you are in compliance with the terms.
Reach out to Let’s Do It Home Inspections if you’re looking for a quality house inspection in Birmingham, AL. We’ll help you prep for your move out.
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