Getting Your Rental Home Move-Out Ready: Avoiding Expensive Damage Charges

Created by Jordan Davey, Modified on Wed, 23 Aug 2023 at 03:12 PM by Jordan Davey

As a renter, going through a property move-out can be a stressful time. There are many details to remember for leaving your rental in good condition and complying with lease terms. It's easy to overlook certain cleanup or repair tasks, but failing to properly prepare the unit before turning in the keys could end up costing you. As the resident of your home, it is your responsibility to return the property to MoveZen Property Management in clean, fair condition.

To get your full deposit back, you need to thoroughly clean the property, make any needed minor repairs, and correct any damage beyond normal wear and tear. Here are the top trouble areas to pay close attention to before move-out:

Scrub Those Appliances!

Oven and refrigerator interiors tend to accumulate significant grime, stains, and spills over time. These require some heavy-duty scrubbing rather than just a quick wipe-down. Use a strong oven cleaner to tackle baked-on grease and food residue in the oven and cooktop. Remove the oven racks and clean them separately. For the fridge, wash all shelves, drawers, and compartments thoroughly. Don't forget the freezer too! If appliances aren't cleaned properly, we will hire a cleaning company to do these tasks. With rising costs, this could be several hundred dollars.

De-Grime the Bathtub and Showers

With frequent use, showers, tubs, and tile walls easily accumulate soap scum, mildew stains, mold, and more. Applying bathroom cleaners, allowing them to soak in, and scrubbing extensively will be necessary to remove buildup. Use a grout brush and/or toothbrush to clean grime from tile grout lines. Leaving dirty showers or tubs is a surefire way to lose some of your deposit to intensive cleaning fees.

Patch Holes Appropriately

It's understandable to want to patch up small nail holes yourself before moving out. However, improperly filled holes that weren't smoothed and blended into the surrounding paint can create bigger problems. Once painters try to cover messy DIY patches, it often requires extensive sanding, re-patching, and added coats of paint to fix - racking up extra charges. For the cleanest finish, it's best to leave minor holes for professional patching after you move out.

Maintain the Lawn Regularly

Don't let the landscaping get away from you near move-out time. Expect fees for overgrown lawns, weedy flowerbeds, overhanging tree branches, and bushes in need of trimming. Keep the lawn mowed, foliage trimmed back, and vines cleared through your final month. Residents are responsible for keeping the yard in a similar condition as when they moved in. Letting it get unruly means hiring crews to whip it into shape again.

Replace Burnt Out Lightbulbs

It may seem trivial, but leaving burnt out lightbulbs can create expenses. We will need to replace bulbs in all fixtures so the property shows well for future tenants. Check for dead bulbs in fixtures throughout the house, patio, garage, and exterior entries. Replacement bulbs are an inexpensive item easily taken care of before move-out.

Change HVAC Filters

Air conditioner and furnace filters should be changed bi-monthly to maintain proper air flow and ventilation. Dirty, clogged filters make systems work harder and run less efficiently. If the filter looks excessively dirty at move-out, expect a maintenance call to clean the HVAC unit at your expense. MoveZen will personally deliver filters to your door quarterly so there's no need to forget or stock up! It is the resident's responsibility per their lease to change these.

By thoroughly cleaning, making minor repairs, replacing burnt out bulbs, and attending to the lawn, you can return the rental property in prime condition. This ensures you get your full security deposit back with no surprise deductions for issues you could have addressed yourself. Be proactive, follow your lease requirements, and avoid move-out headaches down the road. With some extra elbow grease, you can move on from the rental smoothly and get off on the right foot when it comes to getting your deposit refunded fully.