IMPORTANT NOTE:
99% of the time it seems, we have a person or group that will be moving into your place “the very next day” after your last occupancy date allowed on your lease.
Contact us ahead of time if you have damages or issues that you know we will need to repair or tend to prior to a new tenant moving in.
Please let us know 2 weeks early so that we may assist in the correction of the item(s) so that on the morning of the new person moving in it isn’t a surprise to anyone.
Also if you have had animal(s), you must have a professional flea and bug treatment completed and please leave a copy of the exterminators paid invoice on the countertop.
As you do your deep cleaning etc:
Carpets: Professionally steam clean all carpets (provide us a copy of your receipt and leave it on the counter top). If we don't see a receipt- we will have to employ a carpet cleaning company to provide the service). If you had a pet and or a pet visitor: BE SURE have a professional flea and tick treatment completed for your place (after the steam cleaning of the carpets) also leave receipt for the flea service on countertop.
Cleaning: Be sure to do your complete cleaning, repair, maintenance. We are very fair with all moving procedures. Your home has a complete file of pictures and videos the day "prior" to your move in and these we use for comparison, at your move out.
• Take all nails and screws out of the walls and ceiling and fill them professionally (not using spackle or caulk). If the paint matches, the damage will likely not be charged back to you. To "see" if you have left damage on walls, one way is to look down the walls at an angle with a harsh light, you will see wall damage easier.
Special note for kitchens: Carefully, without tearing the flooring, move out the fridge and stove to be able to clean and scrub the complete floor under the appliances. Look for bugs too. Use raid if needed.
• Dust the ceiling fixtures, lights, and fans. Replace bulbs that are out.
• Dust all ledges. Scrub air conditioning vents in all rooms.
• Clean the windows, inside and out.
• Clean the doorknobs and doors.
• Clean all light switches and outlets.
• Clean the walls and baseboards.
• Vacuum (and then get carpet professionally steam cleaned, submit copy of receipt for proof).
• Get rid of all cobwebs, debris, trash, marks, etc.
• If you had pets be sure to use exterminator for interior treatment.
• Get soap scum off the bathroom tiles and tub/shower and bleach the grout.
• Clean out the bathroom drawers and vanity, making sure you get all the hair out (and remove any liners). Be sure p-trap is not clogged with refuse and hair.
• Clean the toilet, sink, countertop and finally the floor (sweep and mop). If the toilet seat is unsavory looking, replace it.
• All p-traps and drains must be clear and clean.
• Clean the mirror.
• Vacuum out the surface of the exhaust fan and lights.
Kitchen:
• Clean out all cabinets and liners.
• Wash the front and interior of the cabinets.
• Clean and disinfect all countertops.
• Clean and shine up the sink and faucet.
• Scrub the refrigerator inside and out. Remove all shelves and clean separately if necessary.
• Scrub the oven inside and out. Remove shelving, drip pans and burners. Use steel wool, it is your friend on surfaces that don't scratch.
• Clean out the dishwasher.
• Clean exhaust fan and filter.
• Carefully move (no not scratch floors) all appliances and sweep and mop behind them.
• Dust, sweep, vacuum and mop all rooms
• Clean washer and dryer.
• Pull the weeds, cut the grass.
• Change all A/C filters
• Remove all of your items that might be stuck in the ground or hanging in trees.
• Omit offensive smells.
• Clean dishwasher and clothes dryer vent traps.
• Keys, openers, remotes, items that belong with home: leave on kitchen countertop. Leave one door unlocked as you have all the keys. If you have an electronic lock, text us the door code please, and lock the doors behind you.
• Contact office and let them know you are out and finished cleaning.
IF YOU HAD PET(S): Be sure (100% sure) that you take the extra time needed to rid the home of all signs of animal habitation. Fleas, and urine in the carpets, pads, cement floors, etc. Problems really show up by turning off the air conditioner for 24 hours and letting the home warm up. If you smell that obvious odor of urine, extra cleaning or replacement is required. Please test your home prior to us testing it. Also, fleas and flea eggs are hard to detect when the animal is in the home but becomes readily apparent once the animal is gone. With the “host” gone, the left behind fleas now attach themselves to the new people moving in. (Sometimes a good test can be (1) the plug-in flea trap, or (2) white sticky traps with a light next to them for 24 hours, both usually will trap and show you if there is an issue. Not 100% exact but an indicator. Be sure to leave a copy of your exterminators’ flea treatment on the countertop.
This is not a complete checklist. Please just prepare your home for a usual individual like yourself to be moving in right behind you. Any item that needs to be cleaned or repaired needs to be addressed prior to your move-out. Dont forget burned out light bulbs, etc.
Be sure to review your rent, utilities, and late fees payment history (if you have a room mate(s) remember since your lease is in "joint tenancy" all tenants are responsible for all charges together), as any late fees, or repair cost you (and your roommate) have not yet paid will become a delinquency, and delinquencies must be reported to all credit reporting agencies for tenant's and associated cosigners credit reports. Our desire is to provide your personal file with a fantastic rental history to the Credit Reporting companies. PLEASE review your own personal pay history to be sure that your transactions each month were in the date range that are provided for in the lease. Where your payments fall outside the date range, late fees are assessed as outlined in your lease. Double check your own pay history for monthly rent and utilities paid to management during your lease.
On the early morning 12:01 am (after the date of your lease's final date) we assume the home is empty, and have crews that will be entering the property. If you have an electronic lock, please text or email to us your code and then no door needs to be left unlocked when you leave.
Thanks so much and have a happy move! We will miss you!