Moving in and out questions, answered

It depends on your state, but most set a deadline somewhere between about two weeks and two months after you move out, with many around 30 days. Within that time the landlord usually has to return the deposit in full, or send an itemized list of deductions along with whatever is left.

Send a written demand letter asking for the deposit by a specific date, citing your state's deposit rules and your evidence. If that fails, you can usually file in small claims court, where fees are modest and you don't need a lawyer. Many states award extra damages when a landlord withholds a deposit in bad faith.

Whatever your lease says, and if it says nothing, whatever your state requires. For month-to-month rentals, 30 days' written notice is common, though some states require more. Fixed-term leases often require notice 30 to 60 days before the end date, and missing it can trigger an automatic renewal or extra rent.

Generally as clean as it was when you moved in, allowing for normal wear and tear. Many leases say 'broom clean' or require professional carpet cleaning, so check yours. In practice, clean the appliances, bathrooms, floors and cabinets thoroughly and remove every item and all trash, since those are the most common cleaning deductions.

Test everything you might complain about later: appliances, faucets, toilets, hot water, heating and air conditioning, outlets, windows, locks and smoke detectors. Then note every existing mark, stain, crack and scratch on the landlord's checklist, or on your own list if they don't provide one, and send it to them within the first few days.

Take photos and a slow, narrated video of every room before you unpack, including close-ups of any damage, then email them to your landlord so there is a dated record they received. Keep copies in cloud storage until your deposit is fully settled. This evidence decides most deposit disputes.

Put it in writing, through the resident portal, email or text, and describe the problem, where it is, when it started and how it affects you, with a photo or video attached. Keep a copy. A written request creates a record that matters if the repair drags on or the problem later affects your deposit.

Send a dated written request with a reasonable deadline, then escalate: ask your city or county housing or code enforcement office for an inspection, and look into the remedies your state allows. Don't just stop paying rent, because withholding rent without following your state's exact procedure can lead to eviction.

Generally only in an emergency, like a fire, flood or gas leak. For repairs, inspections and showings, most states require the landlord to give reasonable notice, often 24 hours, and to come at reasonable times. Some states have no specific rule, so your lease and local law decide what counts as reasonable.

Ask the landlord which utilities you pay and which companies serve the address, then contact each one a week or two before move-in to open an account in your name starting on your move-in date. Electricity and gas are the usual ones. Water, sewer and trash are often included or billed through the landlord.

Book it two to three weeks before you move in, because installation appointments fill up, especially around the start of the month and the school year. First check which providers actually serve your unit, and ask the landlord whether the building has an exclusive provider, a bulk deal already included in your rent, or existing wiring.

Start by talking to them politely at a calm moment, since many people don't realize how far sound carries. If the noise continues, keep a log and report it in writing to your landlord or property manager, citing any quiet hours in your lease. For late-night noise that breaks local rules, you can call your city's non-emergency police line.

Usually the landlord, especially if the pests were there when you moved in or are spreading between units. Many states treat a serious infestation as a habitability problem the landlord must fix. You may have to pay if your own actions caused it, such as bringing in infested furniture or leaving food and trash out.

The landlord is usually responsible when mold comes from a leak, a building defect or inadequate ventilation. You may be responsible for small surface mold caused by everyday moisture you can control, like not running the bathroom fan or drying laundry indoors. Report any mold in writing quickly, because hidden leaks get worse over time.

An emergency is anything that threatens safety or will quickly cause serious damage: a gas smell, fire, flooding or a burst pipe, sewage backing up, no heat in freezing weather, a loss of power to your unit, or an exterior door that won't lock. Call the landlord's emergency line right away rather than using the regular portal.

Document the problem with photos and a same-day email, then ask the landlord for a firm ready date and what they will do meanwhile, such as reducing rent for the days you can't live there or covering a short hotel stay. In many states, if the landlord can't hand over the unit at all, you may be able to cancel and get your money back.

Yes, if you can. Walking through the cleaned, empty apartment together lets you hear about problems while you can still fix them, and gives both sides a shared record. Ask to schedule one a week or two before your last day, and if possible do a final one when you return the keys.

Include the date, your name and the rental address, a clear statement that you are ending the tenancy, the exact day you will move out, and your forwarding address for the deposit. Sign it, deliver it the way your lease requires, and keep a copy along with proof of when it was sent.

Hanging pictures with a few small nails is usually allowed and often counts as normal wear and tear, but painting almost always needs the landlord's written permission. Many landlords approve neutral colors if you agree to repaint before you leave. Check your lease, because some ban nails, adhesive hooks or wall mounts entirely.

Yes, ask the landlord to rekey or change the locks before you move in, since previous tenants, their friends and past contractors may still have keys. Many landlords do this between tenants, and some states require it. Don't change the locks yourself without permission, because most leases require the landlord to have access.

Yes, tell them soon and in writing. Damage like a cracked tile or a leak you caused gets worse and costs more when it stays hidden until move-out. The landlord will usually arrange the repair and bill you or take it from your deposit, which is often cheaper than a surprise deduction later.

The landlord can usually charge you to remove it, often out of your deposit. Many states set rules for belongings left behind, such as notifying you and storing items for a period before disposing of them, while others give landlords more freedom. Plan to take or get rid of everything before you return the keys.