California Moving-Out Guide

1. Giving Proper Notice

Before a single box is packed, double-check your lease term and the statewide notice rules. California Civil Code §1946 sets the baseline: month-to-month tenants under one year provide a 30-day notice, while those in possession one year or longer must give 60 days. If you are breaking a fixed-term lease, review the early-termination clause and send a formal notice to vacate anyway—courts appreciate written clarity.

• Date the letter and reference the rental address exactly as it appears on your lease.
• Specify the final day of possession (exclude the service day when counting).
• Deliver by certified mail or hand-delivery and keep the receipt. Email alone is risky unless expressly authorized.

Need a quick draft? Our sample letters library includes pre-filled 30- and 60-day notices. Remember, the countdown starts the day after the landlord receives notice, not the day you drop it in a mailbox.

2. Pre-Move-Out Inspection (48-Hour Rule)

California tenants enjoy a powerful but underused right: the 48-hour pre-move-out inspection. Civil Code §1950.5(f) allows you to request an inspection no sooner than two weeks and no later than 48 hours before surrendering possession. During the walk-through, the landlord must list potential deductions in writing, giving you a chance to fix inexpensive items yourself.

Bring a copy of your move-in checklist and take new photos in bright daylight. If the landlord refuses to perform an inspection, note the refusal in writing. Courts view such refusals skeptically when deduction disputes arise.

3. Cleaning vs Normal Wear

California’s 21-day deposit rule distinguishes ordinary wear from careless damage. Ordinary wear occurs through everyday living—think faded paint or gently worn carpet. Damage, however, stems from neglect or misuse. Landlords may charge only for the latter.

Eco-friendly hacks: baking soda paste breaks down oven grime, while a half-vinegar half-water spray brightens blinds. Scrub gently—aggressive cleaning that damages surfaces can itself become deductible damage.

4. Repair Prioritisation Without Overspending

Safety trumps cosmetics. Fix loose handrails, faulty window latches, or exposed wires first; these are habitability issues that landlords can legitimately bill if ignored. Cosmetic defects fall into a hierarchy:

1. Nail holes: a dab of lightweight spackle and touch-up paint (if the landlord provides the original color).
2. Scuffed walls: magic-eraser or mild soap. Avoid heavy scrubbing that removes paint.
3. Full repaint: rarely required. Get written permission—otherwise courts label it an unjust enrichment.

If your lease mentions color-matching responsibility, confirm by email before repainting. For larger items like broken blinds or cracked tiles, propose a mutually agreed dollar credit. Link your proposal to the repairs guide so both sides stay on the same page.

5. Photo & Video Documentation

Clear photos and brief video sweeps stop most deposit fights before they start. Use natural light, enable the date watermark if your phone offers one, and capture each room from multiple angles. Close-ups help illustrate pre-existing damage—cracks, chips, or stains. Immediately back up media to cloud storage; Google Photos and OneDrive preserve metadata courts rely on.

• Avoid filters; edited images raise authenticity questions.
• Pan slowly—judges dislike shaky “found footage.”
• Name files systematically: 2025-08-31_Bedroom2_window-latch.jpg.
• Share a read-only folder link with your landlord; track when it’s opened.

6. Key, Remote & Device Return

California landlords can deduct only the actual replacement cost for access devices. Hand back everything you received:

• Front-door and mailbox keys (note duplicates).
• Garage remotes or parking fobs.
• Gate codes or smart-lock credentials (change code then document).
• Laundry-room cards or RFID tokens.

Photograph items on a white sheet labelled with the unit number and date, then ask the landlord or agent to sign a brief receipt. If handing over keys via drop box, record a timestamped video and email the landlord immediately. This simple step blocks claims for late possession or locksmith fees.

7. Forwarding Address & Post-Move Follow-Up

Under Civil Code §1950.5(g)(1), tenants must provide a forwarding address to trigger the 21-day clock. Without it, the landlord may send your check to the vacated unit and consider the duty satisfied.

Copy-and-paste template: “Pursuant to Civil Code §1950.5, my forwarding address for all future correspondence and the security-deposit refund is: 123 New Street, Apt 4, Stockton, CA 95202.”

Send by certified mail and attach it to your email chain. For added peace, submit a USPS mail-forward request and keep the confirmation. Mark your calendar 21 days out—if no refund or itemized statement arrives, send an itemized security deposit deduction letter sample demanding immediate payment. You may also calculate your refund deadline and potential interest using our deposit calculator.

Common Deduction Requests vs What the Law Allows

Moving-Out Timeline at a Glance

1. 60 days out – Review lease for notice terms.
2. 45 days – Send 30/60-day notice with proof of delivery.
3. 30 days – Request 48-hour walkthrough.
4. 25 days – Complete minor repairs and deep-clean kitchen & bath.
5. 10 days – Photograph every room in daylight.
6. 5 days – Test keys, remotes, and smoke detectors.
7. 3 days – Remove all trash and personal items.
8. Move-out day – Hand over keys; obtain receipt.
9. Same day – Email forwarding address to landlord.
10. 21 days after – Deposit refund or itemization deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• Security Deposit Rules
• Dispute Resolution Strategies
• Move-In & Move-Out Checklist
• Notice Requirements
• How to Request a Deposit Refund

Legal References

Tenant Support Organizations