[Colorado-Talk] Advice for best written communication when departing a living situation

Sat Jun 28 21:51:00 UTC 2025

Hi there,
Below our steps, you should take as well as how to document and record your calls as a blind person using an iPhone.

Step-by-Step Guide for Documenting Your Apartment Inspection and Communications
1. Prepare for the Apartment Inspection
 * Schedule a Joint Inspection: Insist on being present during the final walk-through inspection of your apartment. This is crucial so you can address any concerns on the spot and ensure an accurate assessment.
 * Charge Your Phone: Make sure your iPhone is fully charged before the inspection.
 * Familiarize Yourself with the Voice Memo App:
   * Open the Voice Memos app (it's a standard Apple app).
   * Tap the red record button once to start recording.
   * Tap the red square button to stop recording.
   * You can then tap the recording to listen to it and rename it for easy identification (e.g., "Apartment Inspection 2025-06-28").
2. During the Apartment Inspection (In-Person)
 * Inform Them of Recording: As soon as the inspection begins, clearly state to the person inspecting the apartment, "I am recording this inspection for my records." This ensures transparency.
 * Start Recording: Open your Voice Memos app and tap the red record button.
 * Identify the Inspector: While recording, ask the inspector to clearly state their full name and their position within the landlord's company or management. For example, "Could you please state your full name and your role with [Landlord/Company Name] for the recording?"
 * Go Through the Apartment Thoroughly:
   * Walk through every room with the inspector.
   * For each room, ask specific questions like, "Do you see any damage in this living room that was not present when I moved in?" or "Is there anything here that would prevent me from getting my full security deposit back?"
   * If they point out anything, ask them to describe it in detail on the recording. If you disagree, state your disagreement clearly and why.
   * If they state there are no issues, have them confirm it verbally on the recording, such as, "So, to confirm, you are stating that there is no damage in this bathroom beyond normal wear and tear?"
 * Stop Recording: Once the inspection is complete, tap the red square button on your Voice Memos app to stop and save the recording.
3. Recording Phone Calls to Their Office
 * Prerequisite: If you have a modern iPhone with recent iOS updates (such as 16, 17, or 18) and use VoiceOver, you may be able to record phone calls.
 * Initiate the Call: Dial the office number as you normally would.
 * Access Recording Feature: Once you are on the call screen, swipe using VoiceOver until you hear "hide keypad."
 * Start Recording: In the upper left-hand corner of the screen, you should find a button that says "voice recording." Double-tap it. It will count down "three, two, one" and then begin recording the call.
 * Automatic Saving: When you hang up the phone call, the recording will automatically stop, and it will send the voice recording plus a transcript to your Notes app. This way you also have proof of all the confusion related to your calls.
4. Addressing the Security Deposit
 * Review Your Lease: Carefully re-read your lease agreement regarding the return of your security deposit, including the timeframe for its return and what can be deducted.
 * Know Your Rights: Generally, landlords can only withhold funds for damages beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid rent. They cannot keep it for pre-existing issues or routine maintenance.
 * Written Demand (If Necessary): If your security deposit isn't returned within the timeframe specified in your lease (or your state's laws, if applicable) and you believe it's being unjustly withheld, send a formal written demand letter.
   * Clearly state the amount of the deposit you are seeking.
   * Reference the in-person inspection recording and any lack of documented damage.
   * Mention any recorded phone calls that support your position.
   * Include a deadline for their response.
   * Send it via certified mail with a return receipt requested, so you have proof it was received.
By following these structured steps, you'll be well-prepared with documented evidence for both your in-person inspection and any phone communications, which can be invaluable in resolving security deposit disputes.
this helps.

> On Jun 28, 2025, at 12:23 PM, Elizabeth Sprecher via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> hi all I am looking for advice or to know that I am doing the right thing. I have been communicating through written communication with my landlord when I am moving out and what date, and that I prefer someone look at the rim the week before and the day that I’m moving out to check me out and collect my keys. But there has been so much communication and confusion despite me being clear that I have a specific move out date, and that I prefer someone checking me out on that move out date. So my question is, how many times do I have to clearly communicate with my landlord that this is when I am moving out because I am sleeping here the night before, and that that is when I prefer having someone check me out out of my living situation? And, it seems that there is a lot of confusion on dates and times. And this is the third time that this confusion has happened. So, I have a record of me saying that I prefer moving out on a certain day at a certain time and that is what I prefer. So I am not sure if I am doing the right thing.
> My worry is that this is going to take away from the security deposit that I am trying to get back after moving out. And so, I don’t understand how I can defend this if it comes to that.
> Sent from my iPhone
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