Move Out Procedures

MOVE OUT PACKAGE/CHECKLIST

At the end of the lease, one of three things can happen.

• We may notify you before the expiration of your lease and you may be sent a renewal notice giving you an opportunity to renew your lease.

•  We may choose not to renew your lease, and you will be sent a notice to vacate the property at the end of the lease term.

• You may decide not to renew your lease; you must notify the office at least 60 days (verify it per your lease agreement) prior to the lease expiration date. This notification must be in writing and signed by all tenants on the Lease Agreement. Please, use the “Notice of Tenant’s intent to vacate” form.

If the Lease Agreement is not renewed, and in according with the provisions in your Lease, we will begin showing the property immediately looking for new tenants that would move in on the first day after your property is vacated.

Pre-leasing:

In accordance with your Lease Agreement, you have agreed to place a key box and show the property during the last 60 days of this lease or any renewal or extensions. You may withdraw this authorization per Paragraph 14D(2). Removal of the key box does not alleviate a Tenant’s obligation to make the Property available for showings as indicated in Paragraph 14B.

The property manager may but is not obligated to, contact you about scheduled showings in the last 60 days of your lease. If there are pets on the property, please have them restrained or kenneled to allow property showings. If the property is made inaccessible, we may charge a trip charge in the amount stated in your lease.

Keys/remotes/fobs/etc.:

As per your lease, you must surrender keys/mailbox keys/garage remotes/access cards, etc. to our office. Please make arrangements in advance to return it no later than 12 NOON on the last day of your lease or lease extensions. If you do not return it by that time, you will be charged for their replacement. Per your lease agreement Paragraph 10C(3) you must surrender the property and give a written statement of the tenant’s forwarding address, after which we have 30 days to account for your deposit.

In anticipation of your move-out please comply with the instructions below

The enclosed cleaning instructions should be followed carefully to ensure deposit itemization. We recommend using a professional cleaning service. Return the home in better condition than how you found it. Leaving the property in excellent condition may encourage the landlord to overlook minor issues.

We will refer to your inventory and condition form if you filled it out and returned it to our office for existing damages. Be sure that the property is returned in as good or better condition than when moving in; any damage above normal wear and tear can be itemized from your security deposit.

If there is a yard, be sure it’s been mowed, trimmed, and watered a day or two before moving out. Make sure there is no pet waste in the yard. Lawn care must be maintained and utilities must be left on until the last day of the lease, even if you move out before the end of the lease date. Please continue to change A/C filters at the frequency stated in your lease. Any items/trash left at the curb or in trash containers at the time of move-out inspection will be removed at your expense.

Move-out cleaning requires more detailed work than a typical cleaning. We recommend using a professional cleaning service to ensure the property is properly returned to the owner. You are responsible for the cost of a mandatory carpet cleaning (per your lease, where applicable). You will need to provide a receipt showing the carpet was professionally cleaned with the date after your move-out date (but before the final date of your lease and surrendering your keys, etc.). Renting a cleaner or using your personal carpet cleaner is not as it can often damage the carpet. All carpets were either new OR professionally cleaned before move-in. 

Not following these procedures will result in a cleaning deduction from your deposit.

If you need any referrals to cleaning and/or carpet cleaning services, please contact our office.

Please Use These Guidelines While Preparing For Your Move-Out Inspection.

Floors:

Mop all tile and floors

Fix tears, holes, or burn marks in carpets

Remove any pet stains

Repair broken tiles

Wipe down baseboards

Clean all vents

Walls/ceiling:

Wash down walls, especially areas above heaters and vents

Brush out cobwebs from corners and ceilings

Wipe down switch plates and electrical outlets

Remove hooks, ceiling hooks, mounted mirrors, etc., any nails and screws that you installed

Properly patch holes. If you intend to do touch-up painting, you must paint the ENTIRE wall with an approved color and sheen

Patch and repaint any walls you may have damaged or painted other than the original color

Clean ceiling fan blades

Clean all vents

Windows:

Clean window inside and out, including tracks

Clean window blinds

Install or replace any missing or broken window screens or blinds

Mend tears, holes, or burn marks on curtains

Doors:

Make sure doors and locks work properly

Wipe down doors, frames (including the top of the door frames), and knobs

Kitchen:

Clean any clogged drains

Clean sink and all countertops, wipe down faucets

Check under the kitchen sink and report any leaks to FCPM in a work order.

Wipe cabinets in and out, as well as pantry and shelves, and clean drawer fronts

Make sure cabinet and drawer knobs are not missing

Check appliances for proper function and report in a work order if something is missing or broken. Repair appliances you may have damaged

Clean the inside and outside of the microwave, including the filter underneath

Thoroughly clean stove and oven – remove drip pans to clean bottom surface, clean drip pans

Wipe inside, underneath, and behind the refrigerator

Clean inside refrigerator and under crisper drawers

Clean out the dishwasher, including around and inside the door

Garbage disposal should have garbage disposal cleaner run through it

Remove grease, dust, and dirt from the exhaust fan (including filter) and overhead light

Refrigerator – Interior and exterior washed throughout – after removing all bins and racks so that all refrigerator components have been thoroughly cleaned; the seal around all doors should be clean and free of mildew, stains, etc. The condensation (drip) pan under the fridge needs to be cleaned if, accessible. The appliance shall be moved so that the floor underneath is cleaned and the coils behind have been vacuumed; Refrigerator bulbs shall be replaced with compatible bulbs if burned out; If the refrigerator is not frost-free, the freezer must be defrosted. DO NOT TURN OFF THE FRIDGE WHEN VACATING

Replace drip pans if needed

Bathrooms:

Clean all mildew and mold

Clean and sanitize bathtub, shower walls, sink and fixtures

Make sure tubs and showers are drained

Remove hair from drains

Check the shower head for proper function

If you installed your own showerhead, please make sure you put the original one back on.

Thoroughly clean toilet inside and out

PLEASE make sure toilets are flushed

Glassdoor, if applicable, should be cleaned so all of the soap scum is removed

Check that the toilet is working properly

Clean vanity, shelves, and mirrors

Clean soap dishes and wipe down towel bars

Wipe down inside of drawers and cabinets

Wash all tiles and clean grout

Clean exhaust fans

Garage and Yard/Exterior:

Remove all trash from the property and ensure trash cans are empty

Wash exterior siding if dirt, mildew, or marks are present

Clean any oil stains from the garage floor and driveway using an appropriate cleaner

The garage floor swept or mopped

Garage cabinets emptied and wiped out

Yard free of animal waste

Any sheds cleaned out

Built-in BBQ Grill area cleaned out

Be sure the yard is mowed and edged, bushes are trimmed and flower beds are weeded, and add mulch if mulch was there before, to cover 1 inch above soil level

For properties with the sprinkler system - check the sprinkler system for proper function, as well as replace any broken and/or leaking sprinkler heads

Make sure the gutters are cleaned out

Tree limbs should be trimmed to keep them off the roof of the house

Replace garage remote/keypad batteries if necessary

If you took off the original doorbell to install your own video doorbell or any other devices, make sure you reinstall the original doorbell

Uninstall any other security devices on the exterior

Do not leave the trash on the curb, it must be picked up (by the city) or disposed of before your move-out date

General:

Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working – replace batteries if necessary

Fireplace(s) cleaned and vacuumed

Clean all fixtures inside and out

Clear all belongings from cabinets, closets (including coat hangers), drawers, etc. All plant shelves and closets must be wiped down and free of dust and debris

Replace any burned-out light bulbs throughout the home and garage, including microwave, and outside lights

HVAC filters are clean and/or replaced

Check all doors and blinds for proper function and physical abuse

All light bulbs must be in working order, 60 watts for standard and LED daylight bulbs for all LED fixtures. Also check can lights and fluorescent lights

All light bulbs need to match

Replace broken and or damaged outlet and switch plate covers

Replace broken or missing doorstops

Uninstall any other security devices on the interior

Check all walls and cabinets for major marks or large nail holes

Remove TV brackets. Please fill in all holes with drywall spackling. Do not use caulking

Check all soffits (outside under the roofline) to make sure they are not rotted, have holes, or are damaged in any way. Please report any damage in a work order. Remove any wasp nests.

Clean out the fireplace.

Clean and dust off AC vents and return vents.

Clean and dust off ceiling fans.

Please provide a professional carpet cleaning bill from a reputable vendor. (As per the lease under Special Provision Pg. 12 of your lease)

Please send it to admin@echorealestateservices.com or upload it in the documents section in your tenant portal.

If you have any questions about your security deductions or why you have been charged, please refer back to your lease, page 4, section 10.Security Deposit, and page 7, Section 16. Move Out.