Are you moving out of your rental? Maybe you’re graduating from college, moving out of the area, or buying a house. Or perhaps you just need more space or want a nicer apartment. Regardless of why you’re moving, you want to end the tenancy on good terms with your landlord.
What you don’t want is for your landlord to say you can’t leave just yet because your lease is not up or to keep your security deposit to cover damage in your rental.
In most times, landlords must try to mitigate their damages. In other words, they must do what they reasonably can to find another acceptable renter to take your place as soon as possible after you move out—rather than just sit back and collect rent from you.
Read your lease
Besides typical cleanup duties such as washing the floor, the landlord expects you to do a thorough job of getting that rental back into shape. Move-out expectations vary, so check your rental agreement or lease to see what the landlord wants you to do.
Common cleanup duties
Common cleaning requests include wiping down baseboards, doorknobs, and light switches; dusting ceiling fixtures; washing the windows; and thoroughly cleaning.
It’s definitely worth your time to read every move-out detail in your agreement, as some landlords levy extra fees if you don’t take care of an item on the list or if you don’t do it within the specified time frame.
Repair damages
Even minor damage to the rental must be repaired before you hand over the keys. A couple of nail holes may not seem like much to you, but if you don’t repair them, the landlord has to. That means they can bill you in the form of a deduction from your security deposit. Here’s a checklist of things to do:
- Patch nail and tack holes with a small amount of spackle.
- Erase scuff marks on walls and floors with a melamine foam eraser.
- Rub a walnut over scratches in wood floors, or fill them in with a wood marker that matches the floor colour.
- Replace anything you may have temporarily removed, such as cabinet hardware you swapped out for something that suits your own style.
- Go through each room and closet, replacing any light bulbs that no longer illuminate.
Cleaning not your thing? Hire someone
If you choose not to clean and repair everything on the move-out list, there’s still hope. Hire a cleaning company to tackle your checklist. Just make sure you’re available to inspect the space afterwards to make sure they took care of everything. The same goes for repairs. If you broke a handrail off in a stairwell, for instance, and don’t have time to repair it, hire a handyman or contractor to take care of the problem.
Tell your landlord about any damages
Inform the landlord of specific items you can’t fix on your own, such as a broken handrail. Your landlord may ask to see the damage and assess whether they can repair it easily. If so, you may be off the hook. If not, expect a repair bill.
Informing the landlord of potential damage or cleaning concerns is always better than just skipping out and leaving the work for your landlord. If you completely bail on your responsibilities, you’ll probably not get some—or all—your security deposit back.
You might be charged extra for damages
If the damage is beyond minimal, such as missing floor tiles, mold on the shower surround, or massive stains on the carpet, the landlord could charge you more than the amount of your deposit.
Rules for holding back a security deposit
Whenever a landlord withholds any money from your security deposit (including charging you extra), you are entitled to a detailed breakdown of charges. Check the law to ensure the charges are legitimate.
All in all, taking care of a minor aggravation—cleaning your old place—is well worth your time. Besides, you agree to do it when you sign your rental contract. Once you’ve refreshed your old abode, you’ll get your deposit money back, as well as peace of mind, knowing you’re leaving on good terms with your former landlord. On to a fresh start!
Related: How to Break Your Lease Without Losing Your Deposit