What to do when your tenant says they’re moving out
It’s always a bit unsettling when you get the news your renter is leaving. Whether your renters have given you notice that they will not renew their lease or have submitted a notice to quit mid-tenancy, there are procedures you should do to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. This article explains what to do when your renters indicate they’re leaving to avoid administrative difficulties and extended voids between tenancies.
Receive the notice to vacate in writing
Your property manager should ensure that your tenant’s notice to vacate is received in writing, either via email, post or hand-delivered in person.
Confirm the vacate date and end-of-lease requirements
If you have a property manager, they can contact your renter to confirm their departure date and thank them for caring for your home (assuming they have, of course). When your property manager calls, they should also clarify the balance of any rent owed and offer some advice on how to make the process of moving out and return of the security deposit as easy as possible.
Communicate with your tenant in writing too
Put these procedures in writing and submit it to the renter once you or your property manager have talked with your tenant to confirm their vacating date and end-of-lease obligations. You should provide confirmation of the vacate date, the amount of rent owed, and the date of the final inspection. If you have a move-out checklist, please be sure to share it as well. When sending the confirmation email, include a repairs and maintenance form and a copy of the original move in condition report.
Advertise your property
Once you have received your tenant’s quit notice, you should prepare your property for advertising as quickly as possible. If you can market your home four to six weeks before your present renter vacates, you can reduce the danger of your property staying vacant for too long between rentals. You or your property manager should also agree on some open house hours with the present renter at this point. Giving them plenty of notice allows the renter to arrange around open houses while they are busy preparing to relocate.
Complete the exit report and finalise the bond refund
The move out report can be completed once the renter has returned their keys. The condition of the walls, flooring, light fixtures, exhaust fans, and any external spaces such as balconies, lawns, and flower beds should all be checked during the exit inspection. Once you’ve finished the move out report, make sure to document any damages that you will be deducting from the tenant security deposit.
Keeping communication open and making sure your tenants understand the process of vacating your home helps things operate smoothly. Whether it’s a break lease or your tenants aren’t renewing their lease, understanding the vacate procedure and following the processes outlined above can make everything flow more smoothly and lessen your chance of vacancy between leases..
Remember, this article is general in nature and is not financial or legal advice. Please consult your professional financial and legal advisors before making any decisions for yourself.
