Moving Out: A Renter's Obligations
Moving is an exhausting process, from finding a new place to
live to hiring reputable movers to boxing your belongings and
unpacking. So it's easy to understand why many renters tend to
overlook important details before they they move out. In the
rush to wrap things up and move into their new residences,
people occasionally forget their obligations as a tenant, and
those obligations later come back to haunt them.
A frequent question asked by renters is how much notice they're
required to give before moving out. A minimum of 30 days notice
-- in writing -- is standard procedure. (Make a copy of that
letter for yourself.) That gives the landlord or management
company adequate time to find a new tenant to fill your
apartment, and time for the maintenance staff to clean the unit
prior to the arrival of its new resident or residents.
Tenants moving out often find they need additional time to clean
their apartments after packing is over. It stands to reason,
then, that the next most frequently asked question is how long
they're allowed to remain in their apartments after their lease
expires or they've given notice that they're breaking their
leases. The safest answer to that question, and the one you're
most likely to get if you ask your landlord or leasing
representative, is that you're required to be out by the time
your lease expires -- meaning by the end of the month.
Management companies and some landlords have been known to be
flexible with departing tenants, and they generally appreciate a
tenant's efforts to clean the unit before he or she departs.
Your request for a few extra days to vacuum and pack up the last
of your belongings will often be met with agreement, but don't
be surprised if your landlord or management company asks for a
daily fee in return for their flexibility. That's perfectly
within their rights, according to the real estate law books, so
there's not much you can do when faced with a fee -- except to
hurry up and ship out.
And speaking of cleaning up before your departure, what are your
obligations as a tenant? Do you have to leave it as spotless as
it was when you moved in? (That question assumes that your unit
was adequately cleaned, of course.) The answer is yes. Err on
the side of "too clean" in order to prevent your deposit from
being reduced. You don't have to hire a professional carpet
cleaning company or buy an expensive contraption to clean the
carpeting yourself. But by all means, vacuum the floor, dust
every surface, and consider wiping down the windows with a
little glass cleaner. It doesn't take long, and it leaves a good
impression. Depending upon who leased you your apartment, you
could be faced with a reduced deposit -- or even no deposit --
based on criteria you find ridiculous. Instead of getting
involved in the hassle of debating those points with your
soon-to-be ex-landlord or management company, spend a good
half-hour giving your empty apartment a once-over.
Generally, you don't have to repaint your walls unless you
changed the paint color while you lived in your apartment, and
your lease stipulates that you restore the wall color to its
original condition before you leave. If you rented your
apartment from a management company, inquire if they have a
mover's checklist to help you inspect your unit before moving
out. You may even request an informal inspection from a leasing
agent or landlord after you clean the unit. At that time, the
inspector can inform you if you've missed any spots and help you
prevent any deductions to your deposit.
If you've caused damage to your apartment during the time you've
lived there, you're going to face either a considerable
deduction from your deposit, or you may not receive any of your
deposit back. If the landlord or management company decides the
cost of the damage exceeds the amount of your deposit, it's
within his/her/their rights to sue you for the difference.
Owning up to the damage and paying for it immediately is the
best way to avoid major headaches -- not to mention a "black
mark" on your renter's record.
Some reckless renters who know they've caused considerable
damage to their homes and know that the dollar amount will
exceed their deposits have elected to hit the road suddenly and
without warning. While some tenants may have gotten away with
it, many haven't. And the consequences of such actions --
including the real possibility of a lawsuit filed from your
former landlord/management company to gain compensation of the
rent they lost when you fled, plus compensation for damages, is
far more expensive than accepting responsibility for the damage
you caused. Accidents and even occasional bouts of stupidity
happen. Owning up to these incidents will pave a smooth path to
your next home. Believe it or not, management companies and
landlords do call on a prospective tenant's former management
company/landlord. Moving is hassle enough. In the renters'
world, those tried-and-true rules you learned as a kid apply:
Clean up after yourself, take responsibility for your actions,
and you'll be well-received. Mom always did know best, didn't
she?