What Landlords Should Know About Move-Out Letters
Once the lease agreement expires, both you and the tenant will have the option to extend it for another term. However, if either of you choose to end the lease, then you may be required by state law to provide a notice. And this is where a move-out letter comes in.
Of course, finding a replacement tenant can be an arduous task. From making the property rent-ready, to drafting a property listing, to marketing it, to screening prospective tenants, a lot is certainly involved.
Luckily for you, a move-out letter can help simplify the re-renting process for you.
A move-out letter can help you communicate your expectations to your tenant. What’s more, it can help you lay out the inspection procedures and the level of cleaning the tenant must do. This will ensure that your property is in good condition to rent out again.
Continue reading to learn more!
What Are the Benefits of a Move-Out Letter?
Sending a tenant a move-out letter comes with a ton of benefits for both parties. Some of the benefits are as follows.
- Part Ways on Good Terms
By clearly communicating your expectations, the tenant will know what exactly to do before moving out. Consequently, this will ensure the tenant leaves on good terms, thereby ensuring the relationship you have with them remains solid.
- Simplifies Your Expectations
Before a tenant can move out, it’s important that they know what exactly is expected of them.
Let the tenant know, for instance, what condition they must leave the property in, how to properly clean the property before leaving, the security deposit procedure, and any other important information they need to know.
- Gives the Tenant Time to Respond
A move-out letter gives the tenant ample time to carry out all the outlined tasks. Under Colorado law, in a periodic tenancy, the amount of notice to give the tenant will depend on the length of time they have lived on the property.
For example, if the tenant has lived on the property for up to six months, then you must give the tenant a notice of at least 7 days before lease termination.
Is There a Difference Between a Move-Out Letter and an Eviction Notice?
Yes, there is a clear difference between a move-out letter and an eviction notice. A move-out letter is meant to inform the other party of the lease termination. An eviction notice serves a totally different purpose.
An eviction notice is a notice a landlord sends to a tenant to notify them that they are terminating their lease early due to a lease violation.
As a landlord, you must follow the legal eviction process. You must not try to engage in illegal eviction methods, such as removing the tenant’s belongings from the unit, shutting down their utilities, or re-keying the property.
To properly evict a tenant from your property, you must first have a ‘just cause’. Examples of just causes include the tenant’s failure to pay rent, illegal subletting, illegal activity, and damage exceeding normal wear and tear.
You must then serve the tenant a proper eviction notice, attend court hearing, and ultimately obtain a court order.
How Should a Landlord Write a Move-Out Letter?
What exactly to include in a move-out letter will vary from one landlord to another. This is because every property is different and therefore the level of attention will vary.
If you’re still new to move-out letters, you could seek help from a legal expert or an experienced property management company.
That said, the following are the basics that every move-out letter must contain:
- Include the date you sent the tenant the written notice.
- Mention the method of delivery. That is, whether you delivered it in person, or used mail services.
- How the tenant may be able to contact you.
- The day the tenant must have moved out of the unit.
- The final inspection details, and whether you’re going to conduct a walk-through inspection.
- The condition in which the tenant must leave the premises.
- Instructions on how the tenant must leave keys behind.
- Details regarding the return of security deposits. Including, how and when you’ll return it to the tenant.
It goes without saying that the move-out letter must abide by relevant state and local laws. For instance, when it comes to returning a tenant’s security deposit, you’ll have up to 60 days to do so.
When Should a Landlord Send the Tenant a Move-Out Letter?
Under Colorado law, the timeline for sending out a move-out letter will depend on the length of time the tenant has rented the unit.
- If the length of tenancy is 6 months, a 7 day notice is required.
- If the length of tenancy is 1 year, a 28 days notice is required.
- If the length of tenancy is more than 1 year, a 91 days notice is required.
Conclusion
There you have it, everything you need to know when it comes to move-out letters. For landlords, move-out letters are an essential part of not only staying professional and organized, but also running a successful rental investment.
If you need expert help in drafting a proper move-out letter, then look no further than Whole Property Management. We’re a quality Denver property management company; get in touch today to learn more!