What to Know Before Move-Out
All tenants must give 30 days notice to terminate lease and tenants must leave the property in essentially the same condition as when they moved in. Please browse the sections below to see what is expected at move-out as well as fees that could apply if these tasks are not completed.
This house was in excellent condition when you moved in. It was professionally cleaned before you moved in, and has been well maintained throughout it’s life. We expect you to return it to us in the same condition as when you moved in. This means cleaning it thoroughly and repairing any damage incurred during your time there. Failure to return the property in the same condition you received it will result in fees that will be deducted from your security deposit or billed to you if greater than your security deposit. Any fees charged to you will include a detailed explanation of each fee and pictures as evidence. Anything left behind after your move-out date will be considered abandoned and may be destroyed, hauled away, or otherwise disposed of at your expense.
GENERAL
All rent and late fees must be paid in full.
•
•
Fill out and return your written vacate-notice which must include a specific move-out date.
•
•
Inform us of your forwarding address and file a change of address with the post office.
•
•
You do not have to hire a professional cleaner but you must return the property just as clean.
•
•
All carpets must be cleaned and returned to the same condition as when you moved in.
•
•
All windows, inside and outside, must be cleaned. This includes windowsills.
•
•
All walls must be clean and free of nail holes and any damages must be repaired.
•
•
All scrapes, scratches, and marks on the walls, baseboards, doors, and ceiling must be touch-up painted.
•
•
Clean all baseboards, trim, & window ledges.
•
•
Clean all glass light fixtures, including ceiling fans.
•
•
Clean all switch and plug plates.
•
•
Replace all burned out light bulbs.
•
•
Replace A/C furnace filter. Clean returns and vents.
•
•
Mini blinds must be cleaned and free from all dust and dirt.
•
•
All doors and windows must be cleaned and properly locked or fastened.
•
•
All personal property, including furniture, motor vehicles and all other items not on the property when you moved in must be removed from the home and surrounding property.
•
•
YOU MUST RETURN ALL KEYS GARAGE DOOR OPENERS TO US OR YOU WILL INCURR FEES TO REPLACE THEM.
KITCHEN
Cabinets must be cleaned both interior and exterior.
•
•
Hard floors must be cleaned and freshly mopped.
•
•
Refrigerator must be thoroughly cleaned, including shelves, drawers, and freezer. Pull refrigerator out from wall & clean behind it and floor underneath.
•
•
Dishwasher must be emptied and clean. Gasket around the door must be clean and free of build up.
•
•
Range & oven must be clean including racks. You will need oven cleaner for this.
•
•
Vent hood must be clean and free of grease and dirt.
BATHROOM
Floor must be clean and freshly mopped.
•
•
Cabinets, drawers and linen closet must be thoroughly cleaned both interior and exterior.
•
•
Sink and mirror must be cleaned.
•
•
Toilet must be cleaned and base must be clean and free of any build up.
•
•
Shower, bath tile and fixtures must be clean and free of soap residue and mildew; floor of shower and bath must be clean.
GARAGE, DRIVEWAY AND UTILITY
Garage must be swept and all debris removed.
•
•
Dust and cobwebs must be removed from walls and ceiling.
•
•
Oil/grease stains and/or any other stains must be cleaned or pressure washed as needed.
•
•
Washer and Dryer (if provided) must be clean and free of dust and detergents.
•
•
Dryer lint trap must be emptied and clean.
•
•
Floor around, under, and behind Washer and Dryer must be clean.
•
•
Remove any personal belongings that may have been stored in the attic.
•
•
Sweep patio or balcony area, remove cobwebs.
YARD
Yard must be free of personal items and debris.
•
•
Any damage to fence or gate must be repaired.
•
•
Any damage must be repaired, including holes or broken fence sections.
•
•
All dog poop and toys must be picked up, cleaned up, and disposed of properly.
Below are Some “examples” and “estimates” of charges you can expect for certain common types of damages or lack of cleaning. Small cleaning items add up quickly and once enough of those are charged, the cleaning company will just bill us for the whole house clean (large or small).
Description/Cost
Whole house clean, if in poor condition/$500
Whole house clean, if some/most cleaning was done/$250
Clean stove or oven/$50
Clean microwave/$25
Clean refrigerator/$70
Clean kitchen cabinets/$70
Mop hard floors (wood, tile, etc)/$50
Touch-up painting, depending on extent/$25-100
Broken blinds that have to be replaced, per window depending on size/$40-$75
Pet cleanup in yard/$25
Shower/Tub Clean/$50
Missing or broken light bulbs, each/$10
Missing garage door opener/$100
Broken fence panels, per panel or post/$50
Below are some “examples” of wear and tear (Landlord’s responsibility) versus damage (Tenant’s responsibility). This is not a comprehensive list but is meant as a guide.
Ordinary Wear and Tear: Landlord’s Responsibility
Curtains faded by the sun
Curtains faded by the sun
•
Water-stained linoleum by shower
Water-stained linoleum by shower
•
Paint color fading from sun exposure
Paint color fading from sun exposure
•
Dents in the wall where a door latches
Dents in the wall where a door latches
•
Noticeable matting on areas of carpet where foot traffic is expected
Noticeable matting on areas of carpet where foot traffic is expected
•
A rug worn thin by normal use
A rug worn thin by normal use
•
Worn gaskets on refrigerator doors
Worn gaskets on refrigerator doors
•
Faded paint on bedroom wall
Faded paint on bedroom wall
•
Water stains due to leaky windows/doors that were reported to landlord and not properly repaired
Water stains due to leaky windows/doors that were reported to landlord and not properly repaired
•
Warped cabinet doors due to improper installation or maintenance
Warped cabinet doors due to improper installation or maintenance
•
Stains on old fixtures that have lost their protective coating
Stains on old fixtures that have lost their protective coating
•
Moderately bent mini-blinds
Moderately bent mini-blinds
•
Clothes dryer that delivers cold air because the thermostat has given out
Clothes dryer that delivers cold air because the thermostat has given out
•
Toilet flushes inadequately because mineral deposits have clogged the jets
Toilet flushes inadequately because mineral deposits have clogged the jets
Damage or Excessive Filth: Tenant’s Responsibility
Cigarette burns in curtains or carpets
•
Broken tiles in bathroom
•
Marks, scratches, or holes in/on walls that require patching or repainting
•
Dents in wall where door handle hit
•
Rips in carpet, urine stains from pets, Juice or drink stains
•
Stains in rug caused by a leaking fish tank
•
Broken refrigerator shelf
•
Water damage on wall from hanging plants
•
Water stains on floors and windowsills caused by neglect
•
Sticky cabinets due to spills, scratches in cabinets, or broken hardware
•
Grime-coated bathtub and toilet
•
Missing or broken mini-blinds
•
Dryer that won’t turn at all because it’s been over-loaded or vent not cleaned
•
Toilet won’t flush properly because it’s stopped up with something