It is important to provide proper notice to your landlord if you intend to move out of your rental unit. More information on this can be found in our Help Topic about Termination Notices.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act you are required to repair any damage that you have caused, or that was caused by your guests. Failure to repair damages could lead to the landlord filing a claim with Service NL to keep money from your security deposit. There is more information available in our Help Topic about Security Deposits.
You are also required to clean the rental unit before moving out. If you do not clean the rental unit before moving out, you could lose money from your security deposit. There is more information about this in our Help Topic about Tenant Obligations.
When the rental agreement is terminated the keys to the rental unit should be returned to the landlord. Failure to return the keys could result in the landlord making a claim against your security deposit for the cost of replacing the locks.
Cleaning Tips
You can help ensure the return of your Security Deposit by making sure that:
- Fridge and stove are clean, both inside and out.
- Behind and under the fridge and stove are clean.
- All cupboards, drawers, and closets in the rental unit are clean (kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms).
- All linoleum and laminate floors are washed.
- Stains have been removed from carpets, and carpets are clean.
- All bathroom fixtures are clean (tub, shower, sink, mirror, toilet, etc.).
- All light fixtures are clean.
- All walls are clean.
- All windows are clean.
- Baseboards are clean.
- Ledges are dusted, and cobwebs are removed.
- Doors and doorknobs are clean.
- Light switches and outlets are clean.
- The dishwasher is clean.
- Any furniture brought into the rental unit by the tenant should be removed.
This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list. They are just some of the things you should take into consideration when cleaning a rental unit at the end of a rental agreement.
Inspection & Condition Report
Before you give possession of the rental unit back to your landlord at the end of your rental agreement you should conduct a final inspection. During the inspection you can note any damage or things requiring the landlord’s attention. You should also complete a Residential Premises Condition Report and sign it. Whenever possible this inspection should be completed along with your landlord and your landlord should also sign the Residential Premises Condition Report if one is completed. This prevents any disputes regarding damage that was present when you turned the rental unit back over to your landlord. You should also take pictures of the rental unit to show what kind of condition it was in when you moved out.
This final report, when compared to the initial report, if one was completed, will show what damages were present when you moved in, and what issues may have come up while you were living in the rental unit. These reports can help both you and the landlord should a dispute arise over the return of the Security Deposit. You should also take photos of the rental unit to show the condition it was in when you moved out.
Completing Residential Premises Condition Reports is not required by law but is highly recommended.
