Move In/Out Procedures and Checklist

General Move-Out Requirements

1. Compliance with Lease Agreement

• Ensure that all conditions outlined in your Lease Agreement are met, including any specific move-out terms unique to your residence. Non-compliance may result in delays in processing your security deposit or additional charges.

2. Removal of Belongings

• All personal items, furniture, trash, and debris must be removed from every area of the property, including the apartment, yard, deck, patio, and any shared spaces. Items left behind may result in disposal fees.

3. Cleaning Standards

• The property must be cleaned to a professional, move-in ready condition. Refer to the Cleaning Criteria section for detailed expectations.

• Management inspects units thoroughly, and failure to meet cleaning standards may result in charges to hire professional cleaning services.

4. Damages and Repairs

• Any damages caused during the tenancy must be repaired. This includes patching and painting holes in walls from TVs, shelves, or wall hangings. Repairs must be completed professionally to restore the unit to its original condition.

• Report all damages in writing prior to your move-out date to ensure transparency and avoid disputes.

5. Utilities

• During cold months, set the heat to 60°F to prevent pipes from freezing.

• During warm months, set the air conditioning to 75°F to maintain the unit in good condition.

6. Keys and Final Security

• Secure all doors and windows before vacating the property. This ensures the safety of the unit and its contents.

• Keys must be returned to Adams Rental in a sealed envelope labeled with your name(s), apartment number, and forwarding address. Rent will continue to be charged until the keys are returned.

Reasons Your Security Deposit May Not Be Returned

Your security deposit may be withheld partially or in full for the following reasons:

• Unpaid Rent or Fees:

• Any unpaid rent, late fees, or legal fees owed at the time of move-out.

• Excessive Cleaning Required:

• If the apartment is not cleaned to professional standards, including dirty ovens, refrigerators, bathrooms, or carpets.

• Damages Beyond Normal Wear and Tear:

• Holes in walls that are not patched and painted professionally.

• Broken fixtures, doors, or windows.

• Stains, burns, or significant damage to floors, carpets, or countertops.

• Failure to Remove Trash or Belongings:

• Leaving furniture, trash, or personal items in the unit, yard, or near dumpsters.

• Improper disposal of large items resulting in additional disposal costs.

• Missing Keys or Security Devices:

• Failure to return keys, garage remotes, or other security devices.

Examples of Ensuring Full Deposit Refund

To ensure your security deposit is returned in full:

• Pay All Rent and Fees:

• Ensure all rent, late fees, and other charges are paid in full by move-out.

• Thorough Cleaning:

• Clean the unit to professional standards, including:

• Scrubbing appliances, countertops, and floors.

• Defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator.

• Cleaning windows, ledges, and baseboards.

• Repair Minor Damage:

• Patch and paint small holes in walls professionally.

• Replace burned-out light bulbs and ensure smoke detectors have working batteries.

• Remove All Belongings:

• Take all personal items, furniture, and trash with you.

• Properly dispose of large items or arrange for their removal.

• Return Keys:

• Return all keys and security devices to management on time and in a labeled envelope with your forwarding address.

Return of Security Deposit

• Security deposits will only be used for damages, cleaning fees, or unpaid balances, per the Lease Agreement.

• Deposits will be processed and refunded within 30 days of lease expiration, provided all move-out requirements are met.

• Include your forwarding address when returning your keys to avoid delays in receiving your deposit.

Cleaning Criteria: (if you want to receive your cleaning deposit back, the apartment should be in move in condition and cleaned in a professional quality manner to the fullest extent)

1. If you do not do a thorough job and we have to send in a cleaning crew, you will forfeit your entire cleaning deposit.

   *Please pay close attention to the details. Items often not cleaned well enough by tenants are oven/stove/microwave, bathtub, sinks, inside of cupboards, and refrigerator.

• Stove – oven and top burner section thoroughly cleaned

• Refrigerator  – Make sure it is fully cleaned, both inside and out and all items are removed.

• Bathroom – thoroughly cleaned, especially toilet, floors, sinks, faucets, tub, and shower walls.  Make sure ALL soap scum and mildew are removed from the tub and shower walls.

• Rugs – completely vacuumed (move furniture for a thorough job)

• Kitchen – scrub the floor, clean sinks, clean counters, inside cupboards, behind and around appliances, and spattered walls around the stove area.  Clean inside of oven and microwave thoroughly.

• Windows – wash inside as well as ledges.

• Trash – remove all trash from the apartment

2. Trash & Large Item / Furniture Disposal: You cannot dispose of any large items or furniture on the premises of the property. You must take them to a drop off facility or contract for someone to come pick them up. Any large items left on the property or around the dumpster or curb that we need to dispose of, we will charge no less than a $175 fee to do so in addition to any fees or fines we are assessed by the city.  The city is VERY strict as to what they will take and they will not take any items other than the standard household trash that will fit within the dumpster or trash containers without overflowing them.

   Detailed information can be found below from the city:

   All refuse must be placed inside trash carts, trash dumpsters or recycling bins. All loose debris is subject to tickets and fines. You must make your own disposal arrangements through private haulers or the Drop-Off Station to handle your bulky wastes, such as furniture, TV’s, mattresses, electronics and overflowing trash.

   Holes in walls: any holes you have made in walls for items such as (televisions, shelves, hanging pictures or art), must be restored back to like new condition. This may require the use of drywall patch materials as well as paint and must be done in a professional manner. You may need to paint the entire wall in order to get it to blend as just touching paint up may not be sufficient.

   Light Bulbs: It is your responsibility to maintain the light bulbs throughout your unit during the term of your lease. Please make sure there are no burnt out light bulbs upon move out to avoid any charges.

   Smoke Detector: It is your responsibility to ensure that you have not removed and you have properly maintained the battery in your smoke detector during your residency. Please make sure your smoke detector is properly working with a good battery upon move out to avoid any charges for us to do so.

3. If you have any questions, please email us.

   Thanks for your cooperation!

   Adams Rental