House deposit is the extra money the landlord charges you in case you decide to escape without paying your rent. The deposit is what the landlord will use to repair the damages you made in the house.
However, some tenants are lucky if they are only charged the repainting alone. We are all aware of how Kenyan landlords will find even the smallest details so they can’t give you all the money back.
Some of us are unaware of some upgrades will be seen as violations to your tenancy contract. Some landlords draw a thin line when it comes to housing regulations. You need to be aware of them so as to avoid losing your deposit.
Jeopardizing your deposit: Repainting the wall
A lot of luxury apartments discourage changing colours because they are selling the uniformity. However, if you still insist on changing the colour you will have to part with the money.
Although some landlords will allow repainting as long as you change the colour back once you move out. But beware some landlords limit the changes to just one room, going overboard will lead to loss of money.
Jeopardizing your deposit: Hanging pictures
Unfortunately, some apartments don’t have a specific part of the wall to hang pictures. This leads us to drill nails into walls to add our beloved pictures as part of the decor. The walls having holes will mean the landlord will have to plaster the walls to hide them. Therefore, this will cost you money- your deposit money.
Jeopardizing your deposit: Mounting the TV
This is an ongoing trend but do you understand the implications this will have? Let’s assume the next tenant doesn’t have a TV that can be mounted, the caretaker will have to plaster the drilled holes and use your deposit to pay for it. Although some caretakers will charge you for it the holes won’t be plastered over.
Jeopardizing your deposit: Removing doors
Whether it’s the cabinet doors or kitchen door, any door-don’t remove doors. Firstly, some places have strict regulations when it comes to structuring. They want the apartments to be uniformity. You’ll need to ask permission before you decide on such a huge step. Thus to steer away from your deposit slipping away from your hands.
In conclusion, familiarize yourself with the regulations of where you live to avoid losing your house deposit. The money can help you pay for the next house you choose to live in.
