You might not get your deposit back, even if you deserve it: These days, deposits for apartments are ridiculous. Ranging from a couple hundred dollars to the first month's rent, the amount of money you are forced to fork out hardly seems to be in relation to the amount of damage you will cause.
Unless you are planning on throwing a ton of raging parties or are giving up cleaning for a year, you probably plan to see at least part of your deposit when your lease is up. Don't count on it.
Some apartments not only deduct for damage you've caused, they also deduct for changes they want to make. Their decision to re-carpet your unit may have nothing to do with you, but that doesn't mean you won't foot the bill.
Even if your lease is up, you have to give notice in writing: If you signed a lease for a year, you expect to be contractually liberated in twelve months. Sometimes this is true, but sometimes your freedom isn't automatic. You have to give notice to vacate in writing at least a month prior to your departure.
It seems a tad redundant. After all, your signing a lease for just a year kind of hints that you plan to stay just a year, but some apartment complexes enforce the "in writing" rule, hoping that people will forget and fall through the cracks, back into their complex.
Not all apartment complexes are out to get you or rip you off. Some are genuinely interested in giving you a nice place to live and don't hide any of the aforementioned. Still, signing an apartment lease or a contract of any sort requires vigilance on your part. Know what you're getting into so you know how to get out.
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