What Repairs Need to be Made?Your basic rule of thumb should be to leave the apartment the way you found it. This means repairing any damage that you did not note in the apartment checklist when you first moved in. Below are some easy repairs that you can do yourself.
If you rent an apartment in a large complex, you can find out how much some repairs will cost and then gauge whether it is worth the time and money for you to fix it yourself. Some repairs may have exorbitant charges ($10 for a light bulb!) and are easier than others to do; any major repair is probably worth letting your landlord take care of, but making common repairs will usually save you some money.
Common Apartment RepairsRepairing Holes in your WallsAfter you take down all your pictures and mirrors around your apartment, you'll probably notice an array of holes in your walls. This is definitely a quick fix that will help you avoid charges of up to $60. Fill dry-wall holes with dry-wall filler, which you can find at your local hardware store. Simply follow the directions on the container. This is not a very labor intensive project and can be done pretty quickly.
Fixing Broken BlindsBlinds are pretty fragile and break easily. Avoid charges replacing damaged blinds; take the measurement and color of your blinds to your local hardware store and find the replacements.
Replacing Light BulbsThis is an easy task, but is easily overlooked if you don't embark on other apartment repairs. If you leave burnt out bulbs in your apartment, you may end up paying government prices for light bulbs.
PaintingBefore doing any touch-ups or painting, consult your landlord or lease agreement. This may already be covered in your original lease agreement.
Always talk to your landlord about any major repairs, and confirm who will be responsible. Some landlords would prefer hiring professionals to avoid any possible ‘collateral damage'.
Common Cleaning TasksBelow, we have listed common cleaning tasks that can serve as a checklist for you as you prepare to move out of your apartment.
Some apartments require a non-refundable cleaning deposit, so you are not required to do much more than remove all your items, but if not, and then you should be sure to do a big clean before you leave.
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