Move-Out Instructions

Important Information

1. Move-Out Notification: Log in to your tenant portal to submit your move-out date and forwarding address for your security deposit refund, if applicable.
2. Final Rent Payment: Ensure your last month’s rent is paid on or before the 1st. The security deposit may not be used for rent.
3. Utilities: Keep water, sewer, gas and electricity utilities turned on until the last day of your lease to ensure proper maintenance and security of the property.
4. Keys & Access: Before moving out, please schedule an appointment with us on or before the move-out date to return all keys, remotes, access cards, and any other property items. Scheduling an appointment ensures that a property manager is available to assist you and verify the return of all items. Once the keys are returned, the property will be considered vacated, and you will no longer be allowed to re-enter.
5. Property Condition: Before your move-out date, remove all furniture (expect that provided by Landlord), personal belongings, trash, and debris from the house, yard, and garage. The property should be left in move-in ready condition, free of damage beyond normal wear and tear. For carpets, do not hire a professional service or attempt deep cleaning yourself; instead, lightly vacuum or sweep them. We require our approved vendor to handle the carpet cleaning, as specified in the lease agreement, to ensure thorough cleaning without risk of damage. Finally, please follow the Cleaning Checklist provided below.

Cleaning Checklist

This checklist is designed to help you leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in, ensuring a smooth transition for the next tenant and maximizing your security deposit return. Please follow each step carefully to meet the move-out requirements:

General Preparation

• Trash: Remove all trash, debris, and personal items from the entire property, including the garage, attic, and basement if applicable.
• Wall Hooks and Nails: Remove all picture hooks, nails, or screws from the walls. Do not spackle or paint, as doing so may cause the entire wall to be required to be repainted at your expense.
• Shelves/Cabinets: Dust and clean all shelves and cabinets throughout the property.
• Closets: Dust and clean shelves, doors, knobs, and trim in all closets.
• Doors: Clean and wipe down both sides of all doors, handles, and trim, including exterior doors.
• Sliding Glass Doors: Clean the glass, trim, and tracks of any sliding doors.

Kitchen

• Refrigerator: Clean and sanitize both the interior and exterior. Unplug, and carefully pull away from the wall using appliance sliders if necessary, to prevent damage to the floor. Then clean behind and underneath. Afterward, plug it back in, set to the lowest cooling setting and leave running.
• Stove: Thoroughly clean and sanitize the area under the burners, controls, drip pans, and stovetop. Wipe down the front and sides.
• Oven: Run the oven’s self-clean cycle, then thoroughly clean and sanitize the interior, exterior, and all racks.
• Microwave: Clean and sanitize inside and out. If it’s part of a hood combo, ensure the hood is free of grease.
• Dishwasher: Run a cleaning cycle, clean the filter as needed, and thoroughly clean the exterior. 
• Other Appliances: Clean the appliance itself thoroughly. If the appliance is easily movable without causing damage (e.g., microwave, small countertop appliances), also clean the floor and wall behind it. If not, ensure to clean around it as thoroughly as possible.
• Sink: Thoroughly clean sink to remove any stains and ensure the garbage disposal is clean and working.
• Counters: Clean and sanitize countertops and backsplash areas.
• Cabinets & Pantry: Clean inside and out, including cabinet faces. Clean shelves, baseboards, trim, door, and handle in the pantry.
• Floors: Sweep and mop all hard surfaces in the kitchen.

Entire Home

• Blinds: Dust and clean carefully, ensuring they are not damaged and are free of grease.
• Fireplace (if applicable): If you’ve used the fireplace, remove all ash and unburned debris from the firebox.
• Windows: Clean the glass on the inside, along with the tracks and sills.
• Walls: Dust and clean walls as needed.
• Mirrors: Dust and clean mirrors.
• Baseboards: Wipe down and clean all baseboards and trim in living areas and bedrooms.
• Light Fixtures: Dust and clean thoroughly. Replace any light bulbs that aren’t working.
• Wall Plates: Clean light switch and outlet covers as necessary.
• Floors: Vacuum carpets; sweep and mop all hard floors. (Do not mop wood floors.)

Bathrooms

• Tub/Shower: Scrub to remove soap buildup, hard water stains, and any mold/mildew. Clean all surfaces and fixtures thoroughly.
• Toilet: Clean and disinfect the bowl, seat, rim, tank, and base.
• Sink: Thoroughly clean sink to remove any stains.
• Counters: Clean and sanitize countertops and backsplash areas.
• Medicine Cabinet: Clean inside and out, including cabinet faces.
• Blinds: Dust and clean carefully.
• Windows: Clean the inside glass, tracks, and sills.
• Walls & Mirrors: Dust and clean walls and mirrors as needed.
• Baseboards: Wipe down and clean thoroughly.
• Light Fixtures: Dust and clean thoroughly. Replace any light bulbs that aren’t working.
• Wall Plates: Clean light switch and outlet covers as necessary.
• Floors: Vacuum carpets; sweep and mop hard floors.

Exterior & Garage

• Yard and Landscaping: Clear all trash, debris, and animal waste;  Remove noticeable weeds.
• Porch/Deck: Sweep or blow away dirt and remove cobwebs.
• Screens: Gently hose down screens to remove dust and dirt, avoiding tears or bends.
• Concrete Surfaces: Remove any oil stains from the driveway, garage floor, or other concrete surfaces.
• AC Unit: Please remove any leaves or debris from around the outside AC unit to ensure it remains clear and functional.

Final Touches

• Ceiling Fans: Dust and clean all ceiling fans.
• Light Bulbs: Replace any missing or burned-out bulbs with like-kind replacements.
• Thermostat: From November through March, set the heat to 60°F. From April through October, set the AC to 80°F and do not turn it off. This helps prevent damage from extreme temperatures and ensures the property remains in good condition.
• Final Walkthrough: Before leaving, do a final check of all rooms, closets, and outdoor areas to ensure everything is clean, empty, and ready for the next tenant.