Move-Out Checklist
We are sorry to see you go. Use this checklist to help return the home clean, empty, secure, and ready for inspection. Following these steps helps avoid preventable charges and helps RPM process your final account statement as quickly as possible.
1Give Proper Written Notice
A verbal notice is not enough. Submit your Notice to Vacate in writing and make sure RPM has your correct forwarding address.
- Give written notice according to your lease.
- Include your name, rental address, move-out date, phone number, email, and forwarding address.
- Keep a copy of your submitted notice for your records.
- Continue checking email and the resident portal for RPM instructions.
2Pay Balances in Full
The security deposit may not be used as the final month’s rent. Rent, utilities, fees, and tenant-caused charges must be paid separately.
- Pay rent through the required notice period and lease end date.
- Check your resident portal for open charges before moving out.
- Resolve maintenance, damage, utility, or violation balances before key return.
- Turn off any automatic payments only after confirming your final balance timing.
3Return Keys Correctly
RPM does not consider the property fully surrendered until keys are returned to RPM according to office instructions.
- Do not leave keys inside the unit unless RPM has approved that in writing.
- Return all house keys, mailbox keys, gate cards, fobs, and access devices.
- Leave garage remotes in the kitchen drawer unless RPM gives different instructions.
- If your move-out date falls on a weekend or holiday, arrange key return before the deadline.
4Utilities & Trash
Utilities should remain active through the final day of your tenancy unless RPM gives written approval otherwise.
- Schedule final meter readings with your utility providers.
- Do not disconnect utilities early if cleaning, inspection, HVAC, or repairs still require service.
- Remove all trash, furniture, clothing, boxes, tires, appliances, and personal belongings.
- Do not pile garbage at the curb unless your sanitation provider has approved pickup.
Cleaning Checklist
Return the home in the same clean condition expected at move-in, less normal wear and tear. Cleaning fees, appliance cleaning, trash removal, and damage repairs may be charged according to the lease, RPM charge sheet, vendor invoices, and inspection photos.
| Area | What to Complete Before Key Return |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Clean cabinets, drawers, countertops, sink, fixtures, stove, oven, drip pans, refrigerator, and the areas behind and beside appliances. |
| Bathrooms | Clean toilets, tubs, showers, sinks, mirrors, vanities, cabinets, floors, fixtures, exhaust fans, and all visible grime or residue. |
| Floors | Sweep and mop hard floors. Vacuum carpet. Professionally clean carpet where required and keep the receipt for RPM. |
| Walls & Trim | Remove dirt, grease, smudges, stickers, tape, cobwebs, and marks. Do not perform unauthorized painting or repairs. |
| Windows & Blinds | Clean window sills, dust blinds, reinstall screens, and replace broken or missing blinds/screens if tenant-caused. |
| Safety Items | Install working light bulbs, replace dead smoke detector batteries, and replace dirty or missing HVAC filters. |
| Exterior / Yard | Mow, trim, remove leaves, remove pet waste, clear porches, patios, sheds, crawlspaces, garages, and storage areas. |
| Personal Property | Remove all belongings from the home, attic, basement, crawlspace, yard, shed, garage, and storage areas. |
Tip: Take your own move-out photos after cleaning and before returning keys. Keep receipts for carpet cleaning, hauling, repairs, and professional services.
Repairs Before You Leave
Tenant-caused damage should be corrected before keys are returned. After keys are returned, tenants generally should not expect re-entry for additional cleaning or repairs.
- Replace burned-out bulbs.
- Replace dirty or missing HVAC filters.
- Replace damaged blinds, screens, door stops, or hardware caused by tenant use.
- Report unresolved maintenance through the portal before move-out.
- Do not make unapproved electrical, plumbing, lock, paint, or structural repairs.
Normal Wear vs. Tenant Damage
RPM reviews move-out condition using the lease, move-in records, inspection photos, vendor invoices, and normal wear-and-tear standards.
- Usually wear and tear: minor aging from ordinary use.
- Usually tenant-caused: broken blinds, broken glass, large holes, pet damage, trash left behind, heavy grime, missing keys, smoke odor, unauthorized paint, and damage from misuse or neglect.
- Borderline items are reviewed based on photos, records, and lease responsibility.
Common Move-Out Charges to Avoid
These are examples only. Actual charges may depend on lease terms, damage level, inspection photos, vendor invoices, and current RPM charge guidance.
| Item | How to Avoid It | Example Charge Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Return the home clean, including kitchen, bathrooms, floors, fixtures, baseboards, cabinets, and appliances. | Lease/RPM cleaning charge and vendor cost when applicable. |
| Trash / Furniture Removal | Remove all belongings and do not leave piles at the curb without approved pickup. | Haul-off or trash removal per load. |
| Keys Not Returned | Return all keys and access items directly as instructed. | Key, rekey, lock, or access-device cost. |
| Dirty or Missing HVAC Filter | Install the correct filter size before leaving. | Filter replacement charge. |
| Smoke Detector Battery / Missing Detector | Confirm smoke detectors are present and working. | Battery or detector replacement charge. |
| Damaged Blinds or Screens | Replace damaged or missing blinds/screens before key return. | Per blind/screen replacement. |
| Carpet Cleaning or Damage | Clean carpets as required and provide receipt. Report permanent damage honestly. | Room cleaning, repair, or actual replacement cost. |
| Smoke, Pet, or Odor Treatment | No indoor smoking. Remove pet hair, waste, odors, and tenant-caused contamination. | Odor treatment, cleaning, or remediation cost. |
Move-Out Inspection
RPM performs the move-out inspection after the home is empty and keys have been returned. The condition will be compared against lease terms, move-in documentation, inspection photos, and the property’s required return condition.
- Complete all cleaning and trash removal before key return.
- Do not leave repairs, paint, belongings, or trash for “after inspection.”
- Take timestamped photos for your records.
- Provide receipts when applicable.
Security Deposit / Final Statement
RPM will process the final account statement according to the lease and applicable requirements after tenancy ends, keys are returned, and a forwarding address is provided.
- Provide your forwarding address in writing.
- Make sure your ledger balance is paid.
- Deposit funds cannot be used as final rent.
- Itemized deductions may include unpaid rent, cleaning, trash removal, keys/locks, tenant-caused damages, and vendor charges.
Disclaimer: This page provides general tenant move-out information for Real Property Management LLC. Your signed lease, signed addenda, written RPM instructions, inspection findings, vendor invoices, and applicable law control final charges and deposit accounting. Legal/compliance review recommended for disputed or unusual situations.
Each person named on the lease who is moving out must fill out their own Notice to Vacate form