Important Move-Out Information and Expectations
Comprehensive Move-Out Guide for Tenants
Mandatory Notice to Vacate:
Tenants are required to submit a written Notice to Vacate at least 30 days before the intended move-out date, as per the lease agreement. This policy is applicable for both fixed-term leases and month-to-month tenancies, with the notice period ending on the last day of a month. Adherence to this protocol is essential for both tenants and landlords, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with the terms agreed upon in the lease.
Detailed Move-Out Instructions:
To facilitate a seamless move-out process, tenants must complete their relocation and return all keys and remote devices by 12:00 PM (Noon) on the departure date specified in their "Notice of Intent to Vacate." This strict timeline helps avoid potential conflicts in scheduling or the accrual of additional rent charges. Prompt return of these items to our office is crucial. For a swift security deposit refund, tenants are encouraged to revisit the security deposit clause within their "Residential Lease Agreement." This section provides clarity on the refund methodology and outlines any possible charges incurred during the tenancy.
Cleaning and Property Condition:
The lease stipulates that the property must be vacated in a clean state, devoid of personal belongings or waste, both indoors and outdoors. It is imperative that all garbage is properly disposed of by the final day of the lease. Failure to comply will result in the removal of items left behind at the tenant's expense, with associated costs deducted from the security deposit. Additionally, the tenant bears the responsibility for any unaddressed repairs and cleaning by the move-out date, with relevant charges applied to the security deposit for any damages or unclean conditions not attributable to normal wear and tear.
Ongoing Maintenance Until Lease Termination:
Tenants choosing to vacate the property before the lease's expiration must continue to maintain the premises, including the lawn and ensuring all utilities remain active through the lease's conclusion. This obligation ensures the property remains in good condition, preventing potential issues or damages.
Professional Cleaning Requirement:
In accordance with the lease agreement, tenants are obligated to ensure the home and carpets are professionally cleaned on the last day of occupancy. Documentation of this service, in the form of service receipts, must be submitted to verify compliance. Opting to undertake the cleaning personally, or failing to provide proof of professional service, may necessitate additional cleaning at the tenant's expense. Tenants are advised to communicate the specific cleaning requirements to their chosen professional service to prevent any misunderstanding and to avoid incurring extra fees due to non-compliance with the established standards.
Should you have any inquiries or require assistance in locating a new residence to lease or purchase, do not hesitate to reach out to our office for personalized support and guidance.
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Clean the refrigerator, shelves, and freezer. Unplug it, move it away from the wall with the doors open, and clean underneath and behind. After cleaning, plug it back in and keep it running.
Tidy up the cupboards, area under the sink, and baseboards.
Clean beneath the burners, control knobs, rings, drip pans, and the stove top. Also, clean the front and sides of the range.
Ensure the exhaust fan is clean and free of grease.
Thoroughly clean the oven, ensuring all oven cleaner residue is completely removed.
Scour the sinks to remove any stains and ensure the disposal is clean and functional.
Sweep and mop the kitchen floor.
The exterior surfaces of the cupboards should be cleaned and free of grease.
The dishwasher should be clean and fully operational.
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Carpets need to be cleaned by a professional service—please consult with the manager for the recommended approach.
Clean the baseboards thoroughly and remove any finger marks or other marks from switches and walls.
Windows should be washed on the inside, with sills dusted and wiped using a damp cloth. Ensure window runners and tracks are also clean.
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Follow the same cleaning procedures as outlined for the living room.
Vacuum the closets and dust the top shelf.
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The toilet bowl needs to be thoroughly scoured and cleaned with a disinfectant. Ensure the outside of the bowl, including the seat, rim, tank, and base, is clean.
The bathtub must be scoured to remove any rings, with the sides of the tub enclosure kept clean and free of any soap build-up.
The sink should be scoured, and the faucet polished. Clean the countertop surrounding the sink and wash the mirror.
All cabinets and drawers must be dusted and wiped clean, including the exteriors.
Sweep and mop the floor to complete the cleaning.
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Ensure patios are clean and thoroughly swept.
The storage area should be emptied and swept as well.
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Grass must be mowed within two days prior to your departure.
Flower beds should be clear of grass and weeds, and the lawn should be free of all weeds.
Shrubs need to be neatly trimmed.
The yard must be clean, with no trash, debris, or pet waste left behind.
All trash must be removed from the property on the last day of your lease. Leaving items on the curb past your lease end date is not permitted.
Lawns And Flower Beds:
For assistance with cleaning or repairing any damage you've caused, you are welcome to engage a service provider of your choosing. Below is a list of companies familiar with the specific services required to meet move-out conditions. Should these tasks remain unfinished at the time of move-out, we will arrange for the necessary work to be done, with the cost billed to you along with an additional 30% coordination charge.
What Is Ordinary Wear And Tear?
Ordinary wear and tear refers to the expected deterioration of a rental unit that occurs from normal usage, without the tenant being negligent, careless, or intentionally damaging the property. This includes the natural aging and wearing down of elements like carpeting or wall paint over time, due to regular living activities. For instance, carpets may become worn, and paint may peel or crack, simply as a part of everyday life. These changes are inevitable and are not considered the tenant's financial responsibility, as even the most diligent tenant cannot stop the natural wear and aging of the property.
What's Not Ordinary Wear And Tear?
A landlord is entitled to charge a tenant for damages that go beyond normal wear and tear, particularly if the tenant's actions accelerate the aging process or are inconsistent with ordinary use. Expected wear, such as carpet wear from walking, is considered normal. However, if a tenant causes more direct damage, like cutting a hole in the carpet or spilling paint, they can be held financially responsible for those specific damages.
How can you tell what is and isn't ordinary wear and tear?
Determining what constitutes ordinary wear and tear versus tenant-caused damage involves understanding four key categories of tenant-related damages that fall outside the scope of normal wear:
Negligence: This occurs when a tenant acts carelessly, causing damage that could have been avoided with prudent action. Negligence may involve doing something harmful to the property or failing to do something necessary to prevent damage. A crucial question is whether the tenant took reasonable steps to preserve the property's condition.
Failure to Warn: This form of negligence involves a tenant's inaction in preventing damage by not alerting management to issues that could lead to more significant harm if unaddressed. For example, a tenant may not be at fault for an initial problem, like a cracked window pane due to a building issue, but failing to report it, resulting in water damage, can be seen as tenant negligence.
Abuse/Misuse: Damage resulting from a tenant's intentional or reckless mistreatment of the property, or using it inappropriately, is classified as abuse or misuse. This includes causing direct damage, like gouging floors with furniture, staining bathtubs with dye, or making unauthorized alterations, such as painting walls an unconventional color. One notable case involved a tenant being held responsible for extensive damage around a wet bar, including rust and mildew stains from plant containers and numerous cigarette burns in the carpet.
Accident: Damage can also occur accidentally, without intent to harm. Incidents like spilling a drink on the carpet, dropping something that cracks tile, or unintentionally causing a flood are accidents. Although these actions are not deliberate, the cost of repairs for such damages may still be deducted from the tenant's security deposit.
Understanding these categories helps in distinguishing between normal aging of the property and damages for which a tenant may be held financially responsible.