Back to: Landlord Success: Proven Strategies & Practical Advice for Stress – Free Property Management
If the lease is coming to an end, talk to the tenant and find out for sure they are leaving. Maybe they would like to renew for another year. Or maybe you do not want them to stay. Check in at the 45 day mark prior to the lease expiry to find out what the situation is.
If they are leaving, explain that move out day is the last day of the month at noon, not on the first of the following month. This allows you 24 hours to complete any required repairs and maintenance.
Things to consider:
- Meet with the tenant a week or so prior to moving date and have a look around the property so you can judge how much work will need to be done. During this meeting take the tenant a copy of the cleaning check list that you gave them at the beginning of the lease. Explain what is required.
- Schedule a date for a final walk-through of the property.
- If you anticipate a mess in the property have a cleaning company booked for the afternoon of move out day.
- If you anticipate repairs have your trades people ready on standby. Even better is to have the work done while the old tenant is still in the property.
On walk through day, use your walk through checklist and fill it out. If you find things that are dirty or don't meet your standard, offer them an opportunity to clean again or let them know you can hire a cleaner and deduct it from their damage deposit. once the property is cleaned satisfactorily, complete and both of you sign the form. Get a forwarding address for any mail and get the keys back.
Tenants have the right to their damage deposit returned to them within ten days as long as:
- There is no damage beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear is deterioration that occurs over time with use even with reasonable care and maintenance.
- The rental premises have been properly cleaned.
- No rent or other costs are owed.