Moving Out

Moving Out

Moving out sometimes can be frustrating to some tenants because it may not be a simple process to do.  Tenant would want the process of moving out with no hassle and conflict. So, here are some tips to help tenants moving out process as smooth as possible.

• Make sure to review your lease agreement. This is important for tenants to do, to review the lease agreement before you move out to ensure that you properly end the lease.

• It is important that you provide a 30days notice that you are ending your tenancy to your landlord.  And keep a copy of the notice for yourself. The landlord must receive the notice 1 full rental period before you move out. If in case you cannot provide the 30 days notice to your landlord, you must talk to your landlord and advise your situation. Your landlord may understand and agree with your move out date. You may send a message to your landlord through text, email or mail to advise him/her that you will deliver the key on or before that date.

• Check your lease to what you are responsible to fix. Usually, it will indicate in the lease agreement which are your responsibilities to fix and which landlords are. Ensure that you fix whatever you broke in your apartment unit that is under your responsibility before you move out. Sometimes, a security deposit may be used to cover the cost of the damage.

• You are legally entitled to get your security deposit back when you move out unless you violated the lease agreement or done huge damage to the property. If you leave your place in the same condition when you leave, your landlord must give the security deposit back 100%. Depending on your state law, the landlord must give the security deposit back within 30 days after your lease end. You may write to your landlord if in case you don't receive it within 30 days after you move out or lease end to ask for the security deposit back. If your landlord still does not return the security deposit, you may file a small claims complaint in court to settle the issue.

• Surrender the keys. You may collect all the keys and label them properly and return them upon move out. You may ask your landlord for a written acknowledgment as evidence that you already return the key.

• You have an obligation to your landlord to make sure to remove all your belongings and clean your empty apartment because if you don't, your landlord may charge you for cleaning and hiring a removal service of your belongings. This will ensure that you will get your security deposit back and will help you avoid hassles. And remember to take pictures of all the rooms as evidence of the condition of the place when you move out.