Step 1 – Review Your Lease & Calculate Deadlines
Start by reading the termination clause in your lease. Some agreements require longer notices or specific cleaning duties beyond state law. Plug your planned move date into our notice-deadline calculator to mark exact send-by dates for your notice and inspection request. Count backward: if you plan to vacate on April 30, a 30-day notice must reach your landlord no later than March 31. Highlight any “professional cleaning” or “touch-up paint” clauses so you can budget time and supplies.
- Locate the lease end date and any renewal auto-clauses.
- Check for required written notice length.
- Note any cleaning or repair obligations.
- Mark deadlines on a wall calendar or phone reminder.
Step 2 – Deliver Written Notice
A proper notice safeguards you from holdover rent and sets the legal move-out timeline in motion. Draft a concise letter stating your last day, unit address, and forwarding address, then send it by certified mail or hand-deliver with a witness. For easy formatting, grab our notice-to-vacate template. Email is acceptable only if your lease authorizes electronic delivery. Keep the mail receipt and a PDF scan; you may need them if the landlord disputes the date.
- Print and sign the notice; avoid scribbles or edits.
- Use certified mail and save the tracking number.
- Send a courtesy email copy as backup.
- File all proofs in a “Move-Out” folder.
Step 3 – Book the Pre-Move-Out Inspection
Civil Code §1950.5(f)(1) gives tenants the right to a free inspection no earlier than two weeks and no later than five days before vacating. Submit your request in writing—often landlords provide a form, but an email works. During the walkthrough, the landlord must list curable issues. Jot notes and snap photos of each item. Common fixes include nail-hole spackling, oven cleaning, and light bulb replacement. If the landlord refuses an inspection, document the refusal; courts frown on owners who skip this consumer-protection step.
- Request inspection in writing with preferred dates.
- Prepare unit for clear access—no boxes blocking walls.
- Ask landlord to sign the correction list on the spot.
- Schedule time to complete listed fixes before move-out.
Step 4 – Repair & Deep-Clean
Address every item on the inspection list plus general wear to avoid deposit deductions. California courts distinguish normal wear—like minor carpet shading—from damage, such as cigarette burns. Patch nail holes with lightweight spackle; a dab of matching paint is cheap insurance. Replace cracked outlet covers, swap burned-out bulbs, and change HVAC filters. For deep cleaning, tackle rooms in this order: kitchen, bathrooms, living spaces, then exterior storage. Rent a carpet cleaner if stains remain after spot treatment. Save all receipts; proof of mitigation strengthens any dispute over “excessive cleaning fees.”
- Fill nail holes and sand smooth.
- Scrub oven racks and hood filters.
- Shampoo carpets or hire a service.
- Replace cracked blinds slats.
Step 5 – Document the Condition
Treat move-out documentation like an insurance claim. Use the same camera and angles you used at move-in (check your original photos). Turn on timestamp setting and capture wide shots plus close-ups of stove tops, bathroom grout, and floors. Upload images to cloud storage immediately. Create a PDF slideshow for easy courtroom presentation should disputes arise. Video a slow, 360-degree sweep of each room. This evidence proves you left the place in good shape—even if the landlord later remodels or discards items.
- Photograph each room corner-to-corner.
- Video a hallway-to-door exit walk-through.
- Backup media to cloud and USB.
- Label files by room and date.
Step 6 – Settle Utilities & Services
Call utility providers to schedule shutoff or transfer on move-out day. Snap photos of meter readings with the address visible—essential if billing overlaps. Submit a mail forwarding order with USPS at least one week out. Cancel renters insurance only after keys are returned to stay covered for moving-day accidents. If trash pickup requires scheduling bulky-item removal, book now to avoid community fines.
- Schedule utility shutoff or transfer dates.
- Photograph electric, gas, water meters.
- Submit USPS mail forwarding request.
- Cancel or transfer internet service.
Step 7 – Hand Over Keys & Devices
Rent technically runs until the landlord receives every access item. That includes mailbox keys, garage remotes, pool fobs, and parking passes. Ask for a dated, signed receipt listing each item returned. Take a photo of the receipt immediately. If you lose a remote, replacement costs can dwarf rekey charges, so check glove compartments and junk drawers beforehand.
- Count door keys—including spare sets.
- Return garage remote(s) with batteries.
- Hand over parking decals or passes.
- Obtain a signed key-return receipt.
Step 8 – Provide Forwarding Address & Track Deposit
Before leaving, hand over your forwarding address in writing—Civil Code §1950.5 makes it a prerequisite for receiving the refund. Mark 22 days after move-out on your calendar. If the refund or an itemized statement hasn’t arrived by then, send a polite reminder email. After 14 additional days, escalate with a demand letter (see refund request guide) and, if still unpaid, small-claims court. Keep copies of all communications; judges love organized timelines.
- Provide forwarding address on paper and email.
- Calendar the 21-day refund deadline.
- Send reminder on Day 22 if nothing arrives.
- Prepare small-claims paperwork if needed.
Printable Move-Out Task Table
| Task | Recommended Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Send 30-day notice | ||
| Book pre-move-out inspection | ||
| Declutter & donate | ||
| Repair nail holes | ||
| Clean oven & stove | ||
| Shampoo carpets | ||
| Photograph each room | ||
| Record meter readings | ||
| Forward mail request | ||
| Cancel or transfer utilities | ||
| Return parking passes | ||
| Return all keys & remotes | ||
| Provide forwarding address | ||
| Document key receipt | ||
| Save move-out photos backup |
Key Legal References
Helpful Tenant Resources
Local Ordinance Finder
Unsure if your city has extra move-out rules or interest on deposits? Use our free lookup tool to see local protections and deadlines before handing over keys.
Open ToolSecurity-Deposit Demand Letter
Auto-generate a professional letter citing Civil Code §1950.5 to claim your deposit. Customizable fields and instant download—no sign-up required.
Create LetterSmall-Claims Guide
If deductions feel unfair, our 2,000-word guide walks you through filing fees, forms, evidence, and collection so you can recover every dollar.
Read Guide