Intent To Vacate

When the time has come for you to move out, we do hope you feel your tenancy was a successful one with us and with the property owner. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been of service.

To ensure your departure goes smoothly, this page outlines the necessary steps to facilitate a favorable transition for you. Following these guidelines will also help you receive the maximum refund of your security deposit.

Take good care. We wish you the best ahead.

Thanks! What do I need to do to conclude the lease agreement in good standing?

Advanced Notice

As soon as you sense that you’ll be leaving, the first step is to please submit the notification form here. This will give us time to guide you through the process. Also, check the lease that you signed with the home owner to confirm the original, advanced notice period required. It is usually 30 days or one calendar month, but you may have negotiated a unique arrangement.

Reach Out

We know that moving is a big project. We’ve done quite a lot of it ourselves. And we’re here to support you throughout the process. Should you have any questions or need further clarification on any aspect of your move-out, feel free to contact us. Our goal is for your transition to be as simple and seamless as possible.

Move Out Checklist

To set expectations and help ease what can be a hectic process, use this list to remind yourself of how to best prepare the home for an effective hand off back to the owner and for the best return on your security deposit.

  • Please let us know of your new address so we can follow up with you. Visit your local post office too, to fill out a change of address form and provide a date to stop delivering mail to the home you’re leaving.

    Also notify the utility companies, your digital communication providers, and other organizations about your new address and move out date as needed.

  • All of your belongings must be removed from the interior and exterior of the home, including garages, decks, patios, and storage sheds.

    Remember to double and triple check all closets, cabinets, pantries, bathrooms, and major appliances.

    You’d be amazed at how many socks we find in the darndest places.

  • Usually, the kitchen takes the most time to clean, so we advise starting there. Ensure the fridge is empty, and that all oven racks and other accessories are accounted for.

    Clean all floor, wall, counter top, and appliance surfaces (inside and out) with detergent water.

    Be particularly diligent in removing cooking oil and grease from the upper cupboard surfaces. Yuk!

  • Clean all floors, walls, cabinets, counter tops, tubs and|or showers, shower curtains, sinks, toilets, mirrors, and fixtures with detergent water.

    Did you remember to take your toothbrush?

  • All hard surface, tile, wood, and vinyl floors should be mopped with detergent water. Carpeted floors need to be vacuumed and free of stains. ALSO—check in your lease agreement about needing to have the carpets steam cleaned.

    Walls and ceilings need to be clean, without any visible markings, discolorations, pet hair, or other contaminants.

    Got crayon-aged kids?

  • Did a wall get dinged? Is there a stain on the living room carpet?

    Don’t worry. Although we ideally want the home left in the same condition in which you received it, we know that nobody’s perfect.

    And trust us, the home owner will be much more lenient about the security deposit if they see that you are honest about any issues that need addressed.

    Hint, hint. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge … One thing they really appreciate is having every light bulb in working order.

    Thank you!

  • All done? Whew!

    Now, we just need to walk through the home to document its condition for the security deposit review. Ideally you will join us, but if you are not available, we understand.

    We will schedule a time—usually on the move out date itself—to inspect the home and pick up all keys and garage door openers.

Security Deposit Refund

In the days after the walk through, we will prepare a written, inspection report of the home’s condition and of the home owner’s decision regarding your security deposit. This report will be emailed to you, unless you request another delivery method.

If no remaining issues require attention, the refunded portion of your security deposit will be sent to you according to your lease agreement.

Or, if there are remaining issues that need resolved, they will also be outlined in the inspection report, along with plans and timelines for those resolutions. Once those requirements are concluded, then the refunded portion of your security deposit will be sent to you according to your lease agreement.