Renting a house or an apartment comes with its own responsibilities, and the worst problem for tenants is moving out with unwanted charges. There are some landlords and property managers who have very rigid policies, and some will exploit foolish renters through lease traps. In order to prevent having a bad experience when you move out, you must be proactive, record everything, and know your rights.
In this tutorial, we will provide valuable tips on how to keep your security deposit and pay less when you move out of a rental property.
Reading the Lease Agreement
To get familiar with moving out, reading your lease agreement is necessary. Your lease is a legal document, and it has details of your obligations while moving out of the property. Sections to be read are:
- Notice to vacate – Leases typically mandate a written 30 to 60-day notice to vacate.
- Cleaning and repair responsibilities – Your lease can stipulate the amount of cleaning to be completed and who pays for some repairs.
- Security deposit deductions – Know what can be withheld from your security deposit, including damages in addition to normal wear and tear.
- Early termination fees – If you’d like to vacate earlier than your lease term, read early termination provisions so you won’t be overcharged.
Reading and becoming familiar with these sections will allow you to satisfy move-out requirements and stay out of trouble.
Create a Move-Out Checklist
The secret to making a move-out easiest is to create a move-out checklist. A written process can protect you from excessive fees.
- Things to Place on Your Move- Out List
- Essentials to Include on Your Move- Out List
- Read your lease agreement – Read all move-out provisions thoroughly to avoid any surprises.
- Notify the landlord/property manager – Provide written notice through email or certified mail a minimum of 30-60 days prior to your move-out.
- Document the condition of the property – Take accurate photographs and videos of every room, including walls, floors, kitchen appliances, and bathroom fixtures.
- Schedule a pre-move-out inspection – Ask for a walkthrough from the landlord to discover any potential deductions.
- Needed cleaning – Deeply clean the house, including carpets, walls, windows, kitchen appliances, and bathroom fixtures.
- Minor repair – Repair tiny holes, change faulty bulbs, and tighten loose handles to prevent unnecessary repair fees.
- Return keys and access cards – Ask your landlord if and how to return keys, garage remotes, or entry cards.
- Get a move-out confirmation – Get a signed document from the landlord stating you left the property in good condition.
Do a Move-Out Inspection
A move-out inspection is an important process to prevent misrepresentation of damages. This is when your property manager or landlord tallies the state of the house and decides whether to refund your deposit or charge you for repairs.
Tips for a Successful Move-Out Inspection:
- Schedule it on your second-to-last move-out day – This will allow you time to fix any damage prior to departure.
- Bring a copy of the move-in condition report – Check the state of the home when you moved in and compare that with its present state.
- Take photographs and videos – Take everything, clean floors, walls, and appliances, and anything else that might be an issue.
- Ask the landlord to sign an inspection form – If they acknowledge the home is in good condition, make sure to have it in writing to avoid later disputes.
Keep All Communication in Writing
One of the biggest mistakes tenants make is relying on verbal agreements with landlords. When there is a dispute later on, verbal words are not much help in court. To protect yourself, have everything in writing.
- Send notice in writing by e-mail or certified mail – This serves as proof of when you provided notice to the landlord.
- Take written guarantee for all agreed upon – When the landlord guarantees to pay cleaning fees or overlook minor damage, take a written guarantee.
- Create receipts for cleaning or repair work – Whenever you spend money on professional cleaning or minor repair work, save receipts as proof.
Having written reports can be precious if you want to challenge egregious charges at some future time.
Common Move-Out Mistakes to Avoid
The majority of renters do not realize that they are making mistakes that force them to pay extra unnecessary fees. Below are some common mistakes and the ways to avoid them:
1. Failing to Give Sufficient Notice
If your lease says you must give 60 days’ notice and you give only 30, you can be charged the extra month’s rent. Be sure to come back and read your lease and give the landlord written notice within the time frame set forth.
2. Ignoring Move-In Documents
Most renters also do not photograph damages existing at move-in. At move-out, the landlord then charges them for what was already there. Always complete a move-in condition report and photo-documented damages upon check-in.
3. Not Cleaning Thoroughly
Landlords also charge to clean if the house is dirty when leaving. Some of the more frequently overlooked areas are:
- Inside oven and refrigerator
- Floors and carpets
- Bathroom fixtures (toilets, sinks, and showers)
- Baseboards and windows
4. Not Fixing Small Repairs
Minor issues like nail holes, burnt-out bulbs, or loose handles can result in deductions from your deposit. Spend a little time repairing these small issues prior to leaving.
5. Not Having Proof of Move-Out
If you’ve done all the right things but don’t retain evidence, you could still be unjustly charged. Always retain emails, photos, videos, and signed documents to protect yourself.
What to Do If You’re Unfairly Charged
Even with the best planning, there will be landlords who will try to unjustly charge extra fees or hold back deposits. If this happens, do the following:
- Request an itemized breakdown of charges – Landlords are obligated to provide a breakdown of charges.
- Send a letter of objection to unreasonable charges – If charges are unreasonable, respond with evidence (photos, receipts, and inspection reports).
- Negotiate the landlord – Landlords might agree to reduce fees if you have a good argument.
- Report a problem – As a final resort, if the issue does not get resolved by negotiation, report the problem to your local tenant advocacy agency or housing authority.
- Sue (small claims court) – If your landlord refuses to refund your deposit with clear evidence that you are owed it, sue in small claims court. Judges usually rule in favor of tenants when the landlord won’t provide required records.
Shield yourself from debt collectors
When your landlord sends unpaid billing to collections, know your rights
- You are entitled to notice in writing – The company will need to send you notice before they report the debt to credit bureaus.
- You are entitled to dispute bad charges – Ask for written proof of the debt. If they cannot give you paper, they cannot legally collect it.
- Research your state’s tenant laws – There are states that have stringent regulations on deductions from security deposits and debt collection procedures.
If you do move out in good standing, chances of running into debt collectors are slim. But if it does happen, be prepared to fight for your rights.
Also Read: Landlord Secrets: Lease Traps You Need to Know | Sonal Shah Houston
Conclusion
Vacating a rental home can be daunting, but if you are well-prepared, document yourself, and talk clearly, you can steer clear of unnecessary charges. Staying on a checklist, conducting an inspection, and having a paper trail will help you retain your security deposit and prevent unnecessary disagreements.
If you have benefited from this guide, please feel free to share it with others who might also benefit from it. And don’t be afraid to comment or ask questions—we’d love to hear how you get on and answer any questions!