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Don’t Burn Bridges
When leases end, landlords typically continue to rent the
home or apartment on a month to month basis until one
of the parties indicates otherwise. If you want to end
the lease and you want to keep most of your security
deposit, you will need to make the transition easy on
your landlord. You will also want to part on good terms
since you may be counting on your current landlord to
provide a good reference to your prospective landlord.
- Let
Your Landlord Know You’re Leaving
Check your lease to see how many days notice you must give your landlord before
you actually leave. Provide your landlord with a written notice of your intentions.
If you do not let your landlord know you're leaving, you could end up paying
for another month's rent and compromising your good reference.
- Clean
Up The Apartment: In order to get as much of your security
deposit back as possible, you'll want to leave the apartment
looking as clean as you possibly can. The less the landlord
has to do to prepare your apartment for new renters -
the more likely you will get your security deposit back.
For example, if you painted any part of the apartment
another color, ask your landlord if he plans to paint
it back to the original color. It may be less money for
you to paint it yourself than for him to take money out
of your deposit. Also, the cost of renting a steam cleaner
(available at most grocery stores) might be cheaper than
what your landlord will charge in cleaning fees.
- Ask
Your Landlord To Do A Walk-Through Inspection
You might want to video tape this walk through if you're worried about the landlord
claiming damages after you've already moved into another apartment. Otherwise,
you can just walk through the apartment and write down any damages you two see.
If, for some reason, your landlord refuses to walk through with you, send a letter
asking the landlord again, and make sure the letter includes a paragraph stating
the date that he or she refused to walk through with you. Later, if the landlord
makes deductions from your deposit for damage that was not present when you left,
was not as severe as the landlord claims, or which you would have repaired yourself
(at a lower cost), you have a basis to dispute the amount of the deductions.
- Make
A List Of Damages
This document should state that the following are the only damages found throughout
the apartment. Once signed by both you and the landlord, the list will prevent
the landlord from deciding to keep more of your security deposit for damages
that occur after you've moved out. The document will also prevent your landlord
from claiming the damages are worse than they actually were when you left.
- Give
Your Landlord Your Forwarding Address
This step is INCREDIBLY important. Forgetting to leave a forwarding address could
lead to credit problems or worse! You will also need to contact your main post
office to redirect your mail.
- Return
Your Keys
Your landlord will ask for any copies of keys made to your apartment. Don't forget
about that one you made for your best friend, or the one you hid in your glove
box. Your landlord may charge a fee for each day you keep the keys past the due
date.
By
doing all these things, terminating your lease should be simple and successful.
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