When planning to move out of your apartment there are certain obligations that you have to your landlord.
1. GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE - Generally a 30 day notice is required but check your lease as some counties allow for a 60 day notice.
2. GIVE NOTICE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH - This can be tricky so be careful. In some cases if you give your notice even a day late you can end up paying for an extra month's rent. Find out what your landlord's policy is.
3. YOU MUST GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE EVEN IF YOUR LEASE IS EXPIRING. Your landlord will generally assume that you will stay on month to month unless he hears otherwise from you.
4. IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH RISE RESERVE THE FREIGHT ELEVATOR EARLY.
5. SPEND THE TIME NECESSARY TO CLEAN YOUR APARTMENT THROUGHLY. If your lease states that you must have the carpets professionally cleaned then do so. Also if a de- flea and/or de-tick treatment is called for because of your pet make sure that the work is done.
6. GET YOUR LANDLORD TO DO A WALK THROUGH INSPECTION WITH YOU. He will then be able to point out any potential damages that you will be charged for.
7. YOU GENERALLY DO NOT HAVE TO REPAINT YOUR APARTMENT UNLESS YOU HAVE CHANGED THE COLOR OF THE WALLS. The lease may stipulate that you must return the walls to their original color. If you have darkened the walls and the landlord has to put an additional coat of paint to cover it, he will change for the second coat of paint.
8. BE SURE TO LEAVE A FORWARDING ADDRESS FOR YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT. Leaving your old apartment in good condition is very important. Your new landlord will call your past landlords to check on what the condition of the apartment was when you left as well as to ensure that you gave proper notice. Just paying your rent on time is not enough.
Moving Your Pet
Getting through the emotional stress of moving is difficult enough for adults and children. But what about pets, a species with whom we can't even level? Pet owners are often baffled by their pets' behavior during and after a move. Sometimes it's a personality change, a regression in housebreaking habits or a sudden unexplained illness. Even if you don't notice something that dramatic, there's no question that your faithful companion is feeling stress. How do you move your pet and keep the strain to an absolute minimum -- both to yourself and your beloved pet?
Is That Apartment Hazardous to Your Health?
When you sign a lease committing yourself to a unit in an apartment complex or building, you're agreeing to live in close quarters with strangers. You're also making the assumption that your building will be properly managed and maintained. That includes such factors as air quality and adequate pest control. As a tenant, you have rights, of course, but some of the most serious threats to your health -- such as carbon monoxide -- are ones you can't even see or smell.
Does The Landlord Have To Clean The Apartment Before I Move In?
QUESTION:What can I do about a landlord who promised a clean and newly painted apartment before we moved in, but didn't deliver? We have moved in because we had nowhere else to go, but I am concerned about our children's health and the total well-being of our family. Can I report the unhealthy living conditions to the health department? Please let me know of my legal rights or how to go about this problem in a dignified manner.
