Move Out Checklist

When vacating the property you must submit your intent to vacate using the Notice to Vacate form on your “Tenant Portal” at least 20 days prior to the end of your lease.  Please be sure to provide our office with your forwarding address so we can process and mail your security deposit refund.

Security Deposit dispositions are sent out within 30-days (or 21-days if stated in your lease) from the date you move-out, provided you have vacated the property.  Please allow adequate time for mail delivery. Thank you for being an SJA tenant and we wish you the best of luck with your move.

We love to refund tenants their full deposits! That is a win-win for everyone.  However, in order for us to do that you must fulfill the terms of the lease and follow these move out instructions. The amount you receive back is really up to you. We will be very happy to make no deductions for repairs or cleaning.

Remember that there is an administrative charge for every vendor we need to hire and an inspection fee for us to go to the property and check their work.  As mentioned, we will process your deposit within 30-days (or 21-days if stated in your lease) from when you vacate the property and the lease is terminated.  We will then send the disposition and check to the forwarding address you provided.

Follow the instructions on this form if you have justification to appeal the security deposit disposition statement showing you have a balance due:

Download Request for Final Review of Security Deposit Disposition

1. Put the entry key in the lockbox.

On the day you vacate the property, put the main entrance key in the lockbox and hang the lockbox where it was located when you moved-in.  Before you lock the box, take a picture of the code and where the box is located, then lock the box.  Contact your Property Manager if you don’t remember.  If you can’t find or have never had a lockbox, contact your Property Manager upon receipt of this email so they can arrange to have a lockbox delivered to you.   

2. Garage remotes, mailbox key, access cards and fobs, etc. –

Leave the other access and mail keys, cards, remotes, and fobs on the kitchen counter.  If you were supplied with a property lockbox, you may leave the main entrance key in the lockbox and the remaining items, such as garage remotes and mailbox key, on the kitchen counter. You can take a picture and text or email to your property manager as proof.

You are responsible under your lease to return all keys, remotes, access cards or fobs, mailbox keys and garage remotes on or before last day of your lease.  This is critical to avoid “holdover” charges and to signify you surrendered the property, which starts the timeline to process your security deposit disposition.

Please contact your utility providers to do a final meter reading as of your last day of tenancy and make sure when you vacate all outstanding balances are paid in full.  SJA Property Management processes water & sewer bills internally and any final balance due will be deducted from your security deposit.

Please leave all utilities in your name through the end of your lease term, regardless of whether you move out sooner.  The cancellation date should be the last day of your lease term unless you receive approval from us to cancel earlier.  Power should be transferred out of your name not disconnected.

If you have your tenant portal on AUTOPAY, please be sure to deactivate your payment.  SJA does not have access to your portal.  The tenant portal is set up to SEND money.  SJA does not bill your account. If you do not deactivate your payment on time, your bank will send a payment even if there are no charges to your account.

In the event this happens, SJA will refund your money via paper check within 10 days.  We are not able to stop a payment or transfer funds back into your account.

We will conduct the final move out inspection once you have completely moved out and have returned all the keys to the property.  We will compare the Move-In Inspection you completed, to the current condition of the property.  Please have the property in rent-ready condition by the end of your lease date as you will not be able to re-enter the property after that date.  Inspections are not performed with the resident.

If the owner of your property is choosing to re-rent, there will be a sign and lockbox placed on the property, per the lease agreement.  We will begin advertising the property as soon as we receive a notice and we will start conducting showings one month before your lease ends.  By Washington State law you will be given at least 24hrs notice before each showing.  Anything you can do to keep the property in show condition will increase the chances of us renting sooner and us no longer needing to show.  If you have a pet, please place them in a kennel or remove them if they may interfere with the showing.  Per your lease, we may charge a $100 trip charge for each showing declined by the tenant after the notice was given.

Painting, Picture Hanger Holes – Do not spackle

Please do not fill small holes in your walls with spackle or try to do touch up the paint.  Often times this makes the situation worse and requires us to fully repaint the walls (at tenant expense).  Tiny holes are normally considered wear and tear.  If you have caused excessive wear and tear on the walls and they need to be painted or touched up please contact us and we can help you through that process.

If you have caused any damage to the property that needs repair please have that addressed before move out (broken blinds, screens, door handles, trim, cabinets, towel racks, etc.)  If there are repairs needed that you cannot get completed or that you do not believe were caused by you, please inform us of them in writing.  This way there will be no surprises or miscommunications.

All carpets should be professionally cleaned and stains treated, especially pet-caused stains and odors, regardless of the carpet’s condition. Pet owners should also ensure that a pest control company treats their home for fleas. This is important and if it is not done, SJA will have to resend a professional at your expense.

• Replace all burned-out light bulbs (This will avoid a labor and bulb charge)
• Repair damage caused to the property (e.g. torn screens, broken windows, clogged drains, etc.)
• If you can’t get the repairs done before you leave, let us know so there are no surprises.
• Absolutely no garbage is to be left at the property.  Do not leave a trash can full, or trash stacked on the curb.  Make arrangements to have trashed picked up before you discontinue service.  If you don’t, we will have to send a hauling company to remove it at your expense.
• Remove all personal items from the property
• Remove all marks from walls
• Clean all blinds/window coverings/ceiling fans
• Clean all window sills/tracks, baseboards, light fixtures, and fans
• Clean all floors including under all appliances
• Clean fireplace debris
• Remove cobwebs from ceiling, windows, corners, behind doors and on chandeliers/light fixture

• Wipe down walls, backsplashes, and cabinetry
• Sweep and mop floor
• Clean sink and drain
• Clean outside and inside of the oven (replace drip pans if needed)
• Clean stovetop, control panel, and dials
• Clean microwave inside and out
• Clean outside of the dishwasher
• Wash all countertops
• Clean outside and inside of refrigerator including freezer and top
• Remove all racks, shelves, and drawers, and thoroughly clean all surfaces, then replace racks.
• Clean all cupboards and drawers inside and out
• Wash stove hood, remove and wash filter and light

• Clean bathtub and/or shower including fixtures
• Clean sink and faucet fixtures
• Clean all tile and grout
• Mirrors, medicine chest, cabinets, drawers should be cleaned and all items removed
• Clean and sanitize the toilet
• Wash or mop floor

• Remove all items including hangers
• Vacuum carpets, including edges or mop
• Clean windows, sills/tracks, and blinds or window coverings

• Remove all personal items
• Sweep floor
• Remove any auto fluid stains with appropriate cleaner

• Weed appropriate planting areas and remove dead leaves and debris
• Mow lawn and edge
• Trim hedges and shrubs
• Sweep walks, decks and patios
• Remove all pet waste and repair related damage

• Thank you for following these move out instructions and for being a tenant of SJA!  We wish you the best at your new property.