Moving In
Inspecting the Apartment Prior to Move In
Before you decide to rent, you should carefully inspect the apartment with the landlord. Make sure that the apartment has been well-maintained. Ask the landlord to use a written check list so you both agree on the condition of the apartment before you move in.
Ask for a copy of the check list after it’s complete. Save it for when you move out.
Renters’ Insurance – Benefits of Coverage
You should seriously consider purchasing renters’ insurance. The landlord’s insurance will generally not cover your belongings. Make sure to ask. Renters’ insurance will protect you against loss of your property by fire or theft. It also will protect you against liability if someone claims you injured another person or damaged that person’s property. Insurance coverage for a two-bedroom apartment can be as little as $15 per month.
Changing Your Address
When you move, it is important to notify the U.S. Post Office of your new address so that your mail can find you. Forms are available at any Post Office. You may also file your change of address online at www.usps.gov.
Moving Out
Giving Notice
To end your month-to-month rental agreement, you must give your landlord at least one calendar month's written notice before you move. If you don’t intend to renew or extend your lease, you should give a calendar month's notice, as well. To avoid misunderstanding, date the notice, state the date you intend to move, and make a copy of the notice for yourself. To end your lease, other than a month-to-month, you need to give two calendar months notice. The calendar month cycle starts with the 1st of the month. If we are to receive a months calendar notice, the written letter should be in the office "before" the start of the next calendar month.
Security Deposits
A landlord may use your security deposit to:
* Clean the apartment when you move, if the apartment is not as clean as when you moved in;
* Repair damages, other than normal wear and tear;
* Cover unpaid rent or balances due.
Your landlord must refund your excess security deposit, and provide you with an accounting of how your security deposit was spent, within 21 calendar days after you move. Make sure to give the landlord a forwarding address. Please e-mail the forwarding address to: apartments@townlinerealty.net
Early Move Out
If you move out of your apartment before your lease or the 30-day period is over, the landlord is entitled to receive rent from you for the balance of the term. If you need to cancel your lease, ahead of the agreed date, please contact the office. We have initiated a new procedure that allows the tenant to a "buy-out" term , which is an initial $400 fee, plus an additional $100 per month that is left on the lease. This would guarantee you the cancellation of the lease, because otherwise you, as the tenant, would be liable for the duration of the lease regardless if you lived in the apartment or not.
While you are not obligated to do so, if you request it, a landlord must perform a walk-through inspection with you prior to your moving out. This will give you an opportunity to fix or clean problems in the apartment before you move and avoid deductions from your security deposit.