Once you have made the decision to vacate, our firm will begin the chore of finding another great occupant to enjoy the property. Consequently, our staff will be out to install a sign and showing lock box for your premises. From this point on, you can expect that we may be showing this property to different prospects during normal business days / hours and this letter is your advance notice. As a courtesy, you will be notified by telephone prior to any entry.
Moving time is always a busy time, and you will have lots of things on your mind once you have given notice you are moving. One of those things undoubtedly is how to get your deposits back promptly.
Contrary to what some tenants believe, we WANT to return your deposits, and we WILL return them to you so long as you leave your place “reasonably cleaned and undamaged.” That’s what your rental agreement says and that’s what we will do. You’re probably wondering, however, what “reasonably clean and undamaged” means, so we’d like to tell you how we interpret it and tell you also what you should do to get your deposits back.
“Reasonably clean” to us means as clean as you would leave your dwelling if you knew your best friend or your favorite aunt were going to move in after you. To get it that clean, we expect you to:
· clean the appliances, stove hood, and cabinets (under sinks, too) both inside and out;
· remove all non-adhesive shelf paper and nails from any wall surface;
· use an appropriate cleanser on the showers, tubs, toilets, sinks, mirrors, and medicine cabinets (inside as well);
· dust the ceilings (for cobwebs), baseboards, window sills, and closet shelving;
· wash the kitchen and bathroom walls and spot-clean the walls in the other rooms;
· replace the central air conditioning filter;
· wash the light fixtures and windows inside and out;
· vacuum the floors and scrub the floor tile or linoleum;
· hire an authorized professional carpet cleaning firm to service the carpets;
· if you have pets, you must provide a paid receipt of professional extermination treatment;
· sweep the entry, patio, storage enclosure, and garage;
· remove all personal belongings (including clothes hangers and cleaning supplies);
· dispose of all trash (not just leave it outside for future pick up);
· clean the fireplace, chimney, pool, sauna (if applicable);
· mow, edge, trim and rake the landscape;
· upon leaving, please be sure to fully secure the rental by locking all windows and doors
It is very important that the premises be in good working order. The Rental Agreement requires your responsibility for certain maintenance items. Any maintenance deficiency should be reported in writing prior to you vacating these premises.
“Reasonably undamaged” to us means that items which we have supplied should not be missing (including light bulbs) or broken; that there should be no burns, cracks, chips, or holes in the dwelling or its furnishing; and that the paint on the walls should be sufficient to last at least two years from the time they were last painted. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING YOU HAVE ATTACHED TO THE WALLS OR CEILING WITHOUT FIRST TALKING TO US, and please try to avoid nicking the paint in the halls and doorways as you move things out.
Our firm has several qualified contractors to assist you with any moving, cleaning or other maintenance tasks. Please feel free to call our office for the listing and available discounts. Attached are additional flyers stipulating some of the common charges assessed for any condition deficiency, as well as a suggested definition of what “reasonable” is.
Please note that until you have returned your keys, you have not “officially” moved out, and you are still liable for paying rent. Make sure that you give us your keys, signing the key release agreement, as soon as you move out.
After you have completely moved out, it is required that we inspect (during normal working days and hours) your dwelling with you to check it for cleanliness and damage. You may request your attendance to this inspection by written notice to our office 48 hours in advance of your lease termination date. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL UTILITIES REMAIN CONNECTED 2 DAYS PAST YOUR LEASE END DATE OR UNTIL THIS INSPECTION IS COMPLETED TO AVOID A RE-CONNECTION PENALTY. We will refund all deposits owed to you within fourteen days thereafter.
We expect you to have moved out completely by the last day of the lease. Because we are arranging for new tenants to move in directly after you move, we would appreciate hearing from you immediately if your moving plans should change.
We hope your moving goes smoothly, and we wish you happiness in your new home.