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Sail Through the Apartment Check-out Process
When moving out of your apartment, don’t leave anything to chance. It’s easy to get caught in a game of “he said, she said” without the proper documentation, so cover your bases before you even move in.
The walkthrough
Before you sign your lease, your landlord should provide you with a checklist of things in your apartment to confirm the condition of. In some cases the list might not include everything. (Check our Apartment Walkthrough Checklist for a comprehensive guide of what to look for.)
Your apartment manager, landlord or a representative should accompany you on your tour to act as both a witness and a source of information should you have questions. If you find anything wrong, take out your camera and also make a note on your checklist. When you’ve completed your walkthrough, both you and the landlord should sign it, date it and keep a copy.
The exit tour
When you are ready to leave your apartment and have given it a thorough final cleaning, repeat the walkthrough process, also with a member of the property management team, and confirm that everything is as it should be. If you have painted the walls or made other changes, be sure to have documentation that those alterations were approved by your landlord or management company. Otherwise, the management could request that the wall color, for example, be returned to its original color.
Likewise, if appliances or areas in the apartment are in disrepair due to negligence of the landlord, you should have documentation that you have already notified the landlord of the problem — notes of phone conversations or copies of letters. Always check your lease agreement to see who is responsible for what under the terms of your contract.
You should get a copy of the checkout form, signed by all parties, with an outline of any charges that may be assessed, such as the cost to return something to its original state if you are unwilling or unable to do so, or repairs to damage of the apartment or appliances. Once you are comfortable that you and the landlord are in full agreement and you’ve provided a forwarding address for your security deposit, hand over your keys and hit the road.
Saying goodbye to your apartment can be a bittersweet experience, especially if you are sad to leave. But don’t make your exit a sloppy one. Conduct a parting walkthrough, armed with your original checklist, and avoid any surprises after you move out.
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Where do you get ideas on how to decorate your apartment?
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