We are generally sad when our tenants decide to move out but we hope that you are on to bigger and better things. Our hope is that you end your tenancy with us on a positive note. To ensure that you will receive your maximum security deposit back in a timely manner AND to be deserving of a positive future rental reference from us, please read carefully and follow our move-out procedure outlined below.
REVIEW YOUR LEASE AGREEMENT – Please read your lease agreement to familiarize yourself with the many important terms we discussed and to which you agreed when you signed it.
30 DAY WRITTEN NOTICE – As you approach the end of your lease term, and, if you do not wish to renew your lease agreement, you must deliver a 30-day written notice to Home Basics Real Estate before moving out. Failure to do so will result in additional charges. The 30-day time period begins on the date Home Basics Real Estate RECEIVES your notice which could be different than the date on your notice.
LAST MONTH’S RENT – Under no circumstance will your security deposit be applied to your last month’s rent. To avoid an eviction and additional fees, make your rental payment as usual for the last month you occupy your rental unit, unless it was paid in advance to Home Basics Real Estate.
COOPERATE WITH SHOWINGS – After receiving your 30-day written notice to move out, we will begin advertising your rental unit to potential tenants so that we can avoid unnecessary vacancies. It is crucial that you make every effort to cooperate in allowing potential tenants, with advanced notice, to preview the rental unit. The unit should be cleaned and staged as if you are a seller trying to sell your own home.
CLEAN – Do not give us a reason to withhold money from your security deposit because the unit was left unclean. Even if you feel like your rental unit was unclean when you moved in, you are still expected to leave it in a satisfactory manner as determined solely by Home Basics Real Estate. To ensure your unit is thoroughly cleaned, please follow this cleaning checklist (click here to download).
PROFESSIONAL CARPET CLEANING – The carpets need to be PROFESSIONALLY cleaned at your expense. Renting a machine at the grocery store or using a home machine to clean the carpets is not acceptable. If you need a referral of a good carpet cleaning company, please contact Home Basics Real Estate. If the carpets were not professionally cleaned, Home Basics Real Estate will hire a carpet cleaning company and the amount of the cleaning will be deducted from your security deposit. If there is any question as to whether the carpets were cleaned, please hang on to the receipt from the carpet cleaning company as proof.
SCHEDULE INSPECTION – Call Home Basics Real Estate to coordinate a time to come to your rental unit when you (and all occupants) are COMPLETELY moved out, the cleaning has been done, and the carpets have been cleaned. These inspections will take place during normal business hours. Though we prefer to have you present, we will conduct the inspection without you if you are unable to attend.
RETURN KEYS – Regardless of how many keys you were issued when you moved in, ALL keys you have to the unit, mailbox, sheds, garages, or storage must be returned to Home Basics Real Estate.
GARAGE DOOR OPENERS – Place ALL garage door openers in the kitchen cupboard, preferably above the refrigerator.
GARAGE DOOR KEYPAD CODE – As you turn in your keys to Home Basics Real Estate, on a note, write down the garage door keypad code.
SELF ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOP – Deliver to Home Basics Real Estate an envelope with the address neatly printed on it where you want us to send your security deposit and/or any future communications. Place a first-class postage stamp on the envelope. Failure to follow this procedure could result in a delay in receiving your security deposit refund.
UTILITIES - Before you schedule a utility disconnect on your rental unit, you must notify Home Basics Real Estate three days in advance so that we may transfer the utilities as needed. This is absolutely critical, especially during cold weather.
BALANCE OWING – If you have a negative balance in your tenant ledger from late fees, service of notice fees, past due rent, damages, etc., you must make payment arrangements with Home Basics Real Estate to avoid a collection suit against you.
SECURITY DEPOSIT – Within 30 days following the latter of your surrendering the rental unit to Home Basics Real Estate or of you providing a forwarding address, Home Basics Real Estate will forward the balance of the security deposit less all deductions with an itemized statement of any deductions made.
ALMOST HOME PROGRAM – We want to assist you in purchasing a home of your own some day. Please read about a unique home ownership program we offer our current and past tenants called Almost Home.