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Our guides to a
successful move and landlord tenant relationship include the RentLaw.com Moving
In / Out Form, Security
Deposit Guide, Normal
Wear and Tear Guide, Renters
Insurance Guide, Thing
to Check when you move in
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When the time comes for you to move - where do you begin? You may
be moving for a career change, divorce, death in the family, retirement,
financial reasons. Perhaps you are responsible for moving a disabled
family member. What ever the reason, guide to moving should help you
prepare. t
Be organized - think about what you have. Do you
have to take
it all? Either have a garage sale or donate it to a local charity
- don't assume that no one would want your junk. Treasures
to others.
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Do a pre-move-in inspection. You can't be charged for "normal
wear and tear'' under most state and local laws. Do a move-in inspection
and take note of broken, burned, chipped or otherwise blemished items in
the apartment. Make sure the shower, toilet and faucets work. See and use our free Moving
Checklist to note damages to your unit.
Document in Writing. Document, in writing and
pictures, anything that is less than perfect and attach a copy, signed and dated by
you and the landlord, as an addendum to the lease. This will be used again
when you move out.
Get a receipt or keep the canceled check. Simple enough,
but a number of people fail to keep the canceled security deposit
check. Without documented proof, the landlord may simply say he never got
one.
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Leave the apartment in the condition you rented it. Leases require the tenant to return the apartment to its original color
or condition. Most landlords prefer painted walls with neutral colors, such
as off-white or beige, as opposed to wallpaper. Before you decide to decorate, get approval,
in writing ,from the landlord.
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If
the apartment/home changes owners during your lease: You should contact the new owners and do a walk through or
simply send them a copy of your original move-in inspection –
certified mail. This
may help avoid conflicts when you move out.
Your security deposit should be transferred to the new owners.
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MOVE
IN or MOVE OUT WALK THROUGH:
If
the owner’s neighbor, friend, daughter, etc conducts the inspection, make a note of it. Why?
Sometimes they are doing someone a favor, such as an absentee
landlord, and are not aware of what to look for and may not be
the same person who conducts the move-out inspection.
Take pictures and checklist. Very Important!!!
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Clean things responsibly. A thorough vacuuming, sweeping of the floors, washing of the
walls and wiping down of counters and cupboards will suffice. There's really
no need, for example, to steam clean carpets (unless it's to remove pet
stains or smells). In short, leave the apartment in the kind of condition
you'd feel comfortable moving into.
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Don't leave stuff behind. Many tenants leave unwanted items such as trash, old furniture or clothing.
If there's a charge to store the items or dispose of them, it can be deducted
from your security
deposit. If the charges exceed the deposit, the landlord
can sue for the additional money.
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Get a witness. After you've cleaned, have someone
take a walk-through to witness that you left the apartment in reasonably
good shape. It's best that the witness be someone who'd be willing to testify for you in court.
Take pictures. Did you take them when you moved in?
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Time with landlord. After your walk-through
with a witness, ask the landlord to do a walk-through so that you can show
that the apartment is in good condition. It is then time turn in the
keys and provide your new address.
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Provide a forwarding address. A surprising number of tenants
don't get an expedient return of their security deposit because of a simple
mistake: They forget to provide the landlord with a forwarding address.
Give the landlord a self-addressed stamped envelope with your new address
on it, recommends RentLaw.com.
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Know your interest-rate rights. You probably
qualify to receive interest on your security
deposit, although there are
exceptions for some cities and states.
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Follow up--in writing. The letter should highlight
that you paid a full deposit, left the apartment in good condition at the
end of the lease term and should also include your forwarding address.
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The letter should also state that the landlord
is in violation of the law for not returning the deposit (unless you were
previously notified), and should state that you should receive interest.
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In most states, you can sue to recover twice the amount of
your deposit, plus interest for each year the deposit was held, and
court costs and lawyer fees.
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Use the RentLaw.com FREE MOVING
CHECKLIST
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Additional Relocation and Moving resources include:
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