Moving out of an apartment or rental home is hard work and often unveils inevitable wear-and-tear from living in the space. What can be even more challenging is restoring the space to its original condition in order to get your security deposit back.
Before paying professional handymen and cleaning services for repairs, there are several areas you can address on your own to help your deposit make its way back into your wallet.
“Do-it-yourself projects and repairs don’t have to be overwhelming or require paid professionals,” says Brittany Bailey, DIY and home improvement expert and blogger behind PrettyHandyGirl.com.
Bailey recommends these easy tips for repairing minor damages resulting from moments any renter can relate to:
When odors linger in kitchens and bathrooms:
- Allow fresh air to circulate through the space by opening windows for as long as possible and using exhaust fans while cleaning.
- Clean garbage disposal blades and freshen the drain by placing a few pieces of lemon peels in the garbage disposal and running water as you turn it on.
When customizing and decorating the space doesn’t go as planned:
- Patch small holes and cracks with a patch-primer-
applicator kit. It combines primer, spackle, a putty knife and a sanding pad into one simple tool for DIY-ers of any skill level. - Paint walls back to their original color and use blue painter’s tape to avoid splashing color on your trim and baseboards.
— Family Features
