Move-Out

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Last update:  August 27, 2024

Subletting

Temporary sublets   

1. You are responsible for finding the replacement tenant.
2. Your subletter will pay rent to you and you'll continue to pay me.  You are ultimately responsible for rent, so if your subletter doesn't pay you, you'll still have to pay me.
3. Your subletter must pass the criminal background check (but not a credit check, since you will still be responsible for rent).
4. You are responsible to me for any damage caused by the subletter.
5. You'll pay me a $100 sublet fee.

Permanent sublets

1. This can happen only if I can find a replacement tenant.  You're responsible for all the rent as per your lease unless and until a new tenant moves in.
2. Your subletter must pass the criminal background check and credit check.
3. The sublet fee is $200 if I found the new renter, and $100 if you bring me a qualified subletter.

Mail forwarding

USPS will forward first-class mail, but no other mail (e.g., not junk mail), and only within the U.S.  They'll forward for one year.  Fill out the form on their website.

Deposit Deductions

Cleaning.  See below for cleaning standards.

Holes in walls.  Here's the explanation about whether and how holes in walls may affect your deposit.

Missing items.  Review your lease to make sure that everything listed on page two as "furnishings" is still present.

Deposit return

As per your lease, I pay 10% interest on your deposit (compounded annually).  I might be the only landlord on the planet to do this outside a jurisdiction where it's required by law.

Texas law says I have 30 days to return your deposit (less any deductions for cleaning and damage) and I often take that long, because otherwise I can have a hard time shaking down moved-out tenants for the final utility bill.  (See below.)

Cleaning

Schedule a walk-through with me when you're leaving so I can tell you if I see anything I'd charge for so there are no surprises.  If I see damage or insufficient cleaning you'll have an opportunity to remedy that before getting charged.  If I clean myself, I charge $35/hr.  If I hire it out, expect $75-100 if it takes no more than two hours.

The cleanliness level I expect on move-out is simple:  The level it was when you moved in.  I aim for 4-star hotel level cleanliness.

Here's a general checklist.  This is not an exhaustive list, just some pointers.

General

1. Wipe the walls, if they're dirty or dusty.  The bricks especially hold dust because they're not smooth.
2. Wipe the tops of the outlet covers and switchplates.
3. Wipe baseboards / floor trim.
4. Wipe down the floors.
5. Remove cobwebs from corners at ceilings and floors.
6. Remove the light fixture glass, clean the inside, and replace.

Doors & Windows

1. Wipe the doors, especially any parts that face upward and collect dust (esp. the tops)
2. Wipe interior door frames and walls made dirty by hands hunting for light switches.
3. Wash windows, inside + out.  (For homemade window cleaner, 8:1 ratio of water:vinegar + 1 drop of dish soap in a spray bottle, and wipe with old newspapers.)  Back house 2F tenants don't have to clean the outside of the windows on the 2F (except do please clean the sliding door).
4. Clean window channels and frames, inside and out
5. Remove window screens and lightly brush/rinse.  (Don't scrub hard, screens are easily damaged.)

Appliances

1. Clean the AC filters.  Take outside and wipe gently with a rag.  Don't wash with water, that creates mold.
2. Wipe ceiling fan blades, taking care not to bend them.  (They're very easily bent, and then the fan will wobble when it's running.)
3. Wipe down the top of the top and sides of the refrigerator
4. Wipe the grooves in the gaskets on the refrigerator
5. Remove all items from the fridge to be able to wash the shelves perfectly.
6. Clean the oven, inside and out.  To clean the inside, make a paste of 2:1 baking soda to water, spread it on, let it sit at least 20 minutes (longer is better), then baked-on food will scrub off easier.
7. If your house has a dehumidifier, clean the grille, bucket, and filter.  To remove the filter, pull the bucket out, and then feel for the tab on the filter right above where the bucket used to be, then pull down.  Clean it like cleaning the AC filter.

1. 2605-B:  Scrub 100% of mold off the shower tile walls and floor.
2. Clean sinks and countertop.
3. Pull up the drain stops in the bathroom sink and clean.
4. Clean toilet to a spotless level.
5. Clean the gap between the washer and the wall (back house), and behind the dehumidifier.
6. Wipe down the floor thoroughly.

1. For the porches, always clean the front porch, and clean the back porch if it's the front house, or you have the room at the back house with the back porch).
2. Declutter the porch(es).
3. Sweep and hose down porch(es) (including the walls and ceiling for the back house, front porch).
4. Pick up all trash from your house's yards (including your half of the middle yard), and any dog poo left by your dog.
5. Mow.  You're welcome to borrow my battery-powered mower.

My items

Change log

8/27/24.  Added details about subletting.

6/8/24.  Added cleaning the dehumidifier

5/28/24.  Added to mow and clean the yards and porches on move-out.

5/20/24.  Added section on deductions from deposit.