So, you've figured out what place you would want to call home, searched for it and narrowed your list down. You found the right apartment or house to rent and made a deal with your new landlord. You've had a great lease term, but now because of work or school or some other reason, you need to end your tenancy. It seems like that should be a simple process, right? Just give you notice, than leave your keys behind and move out? Well it's not really that simple. There are certain obligation all tenants have when ending a rental arrangement regardless of whether under positive or negative circumstances. Smart tenants will maximize their exits to make sure they benefit from the ending of a rental period and move out. And there are a number of benefits that can be achieved provided you've been an excellent model tenant in good standing.
Declaration Of Intentions
It should actually be called "giving proper notice". When you're ready to move on from your rental property regardless of the reason, it is important that you try and provide as much notice as possible to your landlord. It's natural to get really self-focused during this time. You may be uneasy and nervous and have quite a lot on your mind as you plan to leave your current residence for a new place. But you also have to consider the landlord's point of view. Giving notice that you're leaving creates a lot of work and uncertainty for your landlord as well. He/she must now prepare the rental property and search for a new tenant. While the property is vacant or in transition, the landlord must still keep to his/her obligations with regards to health/safety, mortgage and financial payments, etc. That's why most landlords ask for at least two months notice. It gives them adequate time to prepare for your departure while minimizing avoidable costs and disruptions. Always provide the minimum notice outlined in your lease, and always provide official written notice. If it's an emergency and you have to vacate in a shorter timeframe, contact your landlord immediately and explain your circumstances. But in that event, be prepared to incur some extra costs/non-return of security deposit, etc..
Preparation For The Exit Process
There are a lot of steps involved once you provide formal notice that you are leaving. Your landlord may have some further instructions for you as well. But you can expect that the landlord or property manager will be advertising and showing your unit to prospective tenants. As a current tenant, you cannot refuse entry (provided proper notice is given) for any real-estate related showings/viewings. Obviously it's in your and your landlord's best interest to make the transition as smooth as possible. In that spirit, it's advisable to try and keep the rental unit clean, neat, and tidy - even as you're packing up. If there's anything that requires repairs or maintenance, it's important you discuss this with your landlord as soon as possible as well. Your landlord will most likely arrange a final inspection near or at the very end of your tenancy to ensure that only reasonable wear-and-tear is observed. Note that you may be financially responsible for fixing any outright damage beyond wear-and-tear. Keeping your landlord informed during the remainder of your tenancy is vital. If you're tenancy was a positive one, you might want to press your landlord for a reference letter. Also, ensure you are clear on the last day instructions and the status of your deposit (if applicable).
Transition On The Last Day
On your last day, make sure you have clear idea of what to do with your keys. Make sure you check the rental unit thoroughly to ensure nothing has been left behind. You are responsible for making sure all your belongings are removed and the unit is clean. I often tell tenants that I expect the unit to be left clean and empty in the same condition it was in when they received their keys. Any unclaimed belongings, or messy conditions may be rectified at an additional cost to you. And don't forget that just because you are no longer a tenant does not absolve you of your parting responsibilities. I've heard from landlords who successfully sued past tenants in small claims court to recover junk removal/clean-up expenses that were the tenant's responsibility. You may have a premises inspection on this day if you haven't had it yet or it could happen afterwards. Take the time to ensure that all damages were fixes or addressed with the landlord at this point. Finally make sure you've redirected your mail and left forwarding address for your landlord. Also, be sure to turn down the heat, close lights, lock doors and windows on your way out.
Leaving Due to Unexpected or Negative Circumstances
These are two different issues, but both have serious repercussions. Negative circumstances usually means an eviction order, "midnight-move" (abandoning unit without notice), or a voluntary exit due to irresolvable issues (ie. late rent, rule violations, etc.). Unexpected could be personal reasons (ie. health, expanding family, aging parents, long-term travel, etc.), career (job gain or loss), or emergencies. The end result is the same: landlords with insufficient notice face many more logistical, financial, and personal challenges. A negative exit will undoubtedly mean financial difficulties, legal problems, and future issues in addition to the lost opportunities of a landlord reference and good credit rating. I'll cover a lot more about the consequences of a negative exit on this website.
Post-Tenancy
After your tenancy is complete, remember you may need your former landlord as a reference. So it's best that you complete any loose ends in your obligations to your former landlord. Also, note that landlords do talk to one another and do share their experiences (especially negative ones!). Some landlords offer incentives such as referral fees for new tenants which you may want to take advantage of. Also, you may need rent receipts for tax purposes many months after you've vacated - which are only provided by your former landlord or property manager. Finally, your landlord may have a feedback form/tenant survey which he/she may ask you to fill out. And even if not, there is always a chance for you to offer up candid feedback on your experience to your former landlord. Most landlords like to know how they can do better to attract good and stable tenants.
I hope you found these steps (QFATE) of some value to you. We don't often think of a tenancy from the "big picture" perspective over the course of the event. There are a lot of steps in the process and each and every one of them requires the effort and contribution of both landlord and tenant (often in equal part).
