Landlord Walks Into a $795 a Month Apartment After a Tenant of Two Years Moved Out and Is So Impressed He Is Sending a Gift Card

Landlord @chris_gerbig had a tenant move out after about two years, and he walked into the empty apartment fully expecting the worst. “I fully expected it to be disgusting,” he admits, “because a lot of the times they are.” Instead, he found a unit so clean that he decided the tenant was not only getting his full security deposit back but a thank you gift on top of it.

The video starts with a simple question for the audience: would you rent this place for $795 a month? Then he heads inside with the camera rolling to see whether the departing tenant earned his deposit back.

The verdict comes quickly. “This one actually looks really nice,” he says. The apartment is one of his smaller units, two bedrooms and one bath, renting for $795 a month. He describes the outgoing renter as a guy who lived there a couple of years and always paid rent on time before he had to move.

The Numbers Behind a $795 Apartment

Along the way, the landlord gives a rare look at the money side of owning a small apartment building.

He says the entire building brings in just under $3,200 a month in rent. After taxes, insurance, maintenance and property management, he says about $2,300 of that is profit. He also says there is no mortgage on the property because he bought it with cash.

On top of the monthly cash flow, he says the building has gone up in value by about 5 percent per year for each of the six years he has owned it.

And then the good news for the tenant: “This guy is definitely getting his security deposit back.” Because the place was so clean, he adds, “I think I’ll send him an Amazon gift card as well.”

It is a small gesture, but it says a lot. Move-out inspections are often the most tense moment in any rental relationship. Tenants worry about surprise charges, and landlords brace for stained carpets, broken blinds and bags of trash left behind. Here, both sides walked away happy.

@chris_gerbig

How Tenants Can Get Their Full Deposit Back

This story is a nice change of pace from the usual landlord and tenant battles. It also shows how much a careful move-out can matter. Whether you are a renter or helping a child or grandchild move out of an apartment, these steps give you the best shot at a full refund.

Document the move-in. On the first day, take photos and video of every room, including floors, walls, appliances and fixtures. Note any existing damage on the landlord’s checklist and keep a copy.
Pay rent on time. A tenant with a clean payment record is in a much stronger position, and landlords remember the reliable ones.
Report repairs promptly. A small leak reported early is the landlord’s repair. A small leak ignored for a year can turn into damage that comes out of your deposit.
Clean like you are moving in. Wipe out the refrigerator and oven, clean bathrooms, sweep and mop, wash walls where possible and remove every last item, including trash.
Patch small holes. Many leases allow tenants to fill small nail holes. Check your lease before painting anything.
Do a final walkthrough. Ask the landlord to walk the unit with you. If that is not possible, take dated photos and video after cleaning.
Return keys and leave a forwarding address. Put your new address in writing so the deposit and any itemized list of deductions can reach you.

It also helps to know the difference between damage and normal wear and tear. In most states, landlords cannot charge a deposit for the ordinary aging of a home, like lightly scuffed paint, minor carpet wear or faded blinds after a few years. They can charge for things like large holes, broken fixtures, stains, pet damage or a unit left full of trash. Most states also set a deadline for returning the deposit or sending an itemized list of deductions, often somewhere between two weeks and a month or so after move-out. Your state attorney general’s office or housing agency usually has a free tenant guide that spells out the exact rules.

Why Good Tenants Are Worth Their Weight in Gold

From the landlord side, this video shows why a reliable tenant is valued so highly. Every time a unit turns over, an owner can face cleaning, repairs, advertising and weeks without rent. A tenant who pays on time and leaves the unit spotless saves the owner real money.

For small landlords, that is a good reason to treat great tenants well. Fair rent increases, quick repairs and a little appreciation, like a thank you card or gift card, can encourage renters to stay longer and take better care of a property.

For renters, a glowing reference from a past landlord can make your next apartment search much easier. Many landlords call former landlords before approving an application, and “always paid on time and left it spotless” is about the best thing anyone can hear.

In this case, that reputation came with a full deposit, a gift card and proof that sometimes the move-out inspection is the best part of the whole rental.

Willow and Hearth