Questions frequently asked by departing tenants
don't want your I paid two week's rent up front, why do I still have to pay rent for the final two weeks?
Rent is always due the day after the previous rent payment has been 'used up'. So if you paid two weeks rent in advance at the start of the tenancy, the next rent payment was due two weeks later, once the first two weeks advance rent was used up.
Do I really need to have the carpets professionally cleaned when I move out? I heard that you can't require us to do that?
As a general rule, you are not required to have the carpets professionally cleaned at the end of your tenancy. However, as a tenant you have a responsibility to keep the carpet reasonably clean and tidy, and if the carpet is badly stained or smelly beyond 'fair wear and tear' then it is incumbent on you to clean them. This would normally be done by a professional cleaning service.
If I want to end my tenancy, how much notice do I need to give you?
If you are in a fixed term tenancy, it cannot be terminated by notice (by either party). In practice though, when a tenant wants to leave early, typically an agreement is made for the tenant to cover the cost of finding a new tenant in exchange for early termination. When a fixed term tenancy expires, it automatically becomes a periodic tenancy. If you do not want your tenancy to continue beyond the original fixed term, this is a special case where you must give notice to vacate between 90 and 21 days before the end of the tenancy.
If you didn't sign up for a fixed term tenancy, or your fixed term tenancy has expired, then you have a 'periodic tenancy' that you may terminate at any time with 21 days notice. Your notice may specify any day of the week to end the tenancy, regardless of the day your tenancy started or the day you pay rent.
Rent is always due the day after the previous rent payment has been 'used up'. So if you paid two weeks rent in advance at the start of the tenancy, the next rent payment was due two weeks later, once the first two weeks advance rent was used up.
Do I really need to have the carpets professionally cleaned when I move out? I heard that you can't require us to do that?
As a general rule, you are not required to have the carpets professionally cleaned at the end of your tenancy. However, as a tenant you have a responsibility to keep the carpet reasonably clean and tidy, and if the carpet is badly stained or smelly beyond 'fair wear and tear' then it is incumbent on you to clean them. This would normally be done by a professional cleaning service.
If I want to end my tenancy, how much notice do I need to give you?
If you are in a fixed term tenancy, it cannot be terminated by notice (by either party). In practice though, when a tenant wants to leave early, typically an agreement is made for the tenant to cover the cost of finding a new tenant in exchange for early termination. When a fixed term tenancy expires, it automatically becomes a periodic tenancy. If you do not want your tenancy to continue beyond the original fixed term, this is a special case where you must give notice to vacate between 90 and 21 days before the end of the tenancy.
If you didn't sign up for a fixed term tenancy, or your fixed term tenancy has expired, then you have a 'periodic tenancy' that you may terminate at any time with 21 days notice. Your notice may specify any day of the week to end the tenancy, regardless of the day your tenancy started or the day you pay rent.
Cleaning guide for departing tenants
Stove and oven to be cleaned.
Windows and window sills to be cleaned thoroughly with special attention to any mould and mildew, you may have to use an old toothbrush.
All cupboards to be cleaned thoroughly inside and out.
Marks to be removed from walls and light switches.
All floors and all skirting boards to be washed.
Replace all non working or missing light bulbs
Carpets vacuumed.
Badly stained or smelly carpet to be steam cleaned.
Cobwebs to be removed.
Particular attention should be paid to the bathroom and toilet - bathroom cabinets to be cleaned, shower recess to be scrubbed.
Shower screens to be washed.
No belongings or rubbish to be left anywhere on the property, inside or out.
All chattels on the tenancy agreement to be accounted for.
When you have finished your cleanup and the unit is empty, please contact us for the final inspection including the final water reading, settlement of any outstanding charges and hand over of keys.
Windows and window sills to be cleaned thoroughly with special attention to any mould and mildew, you may have to use an old toothbrush.
All cupboards to be cleaned thoroughly inside and out.
Marks to be removed from walls and light switches.
All floors and all skirting boards to be washed.
Replace all non working or missing light bulbs
Carpets vacuumed.
Badly stained or smelly carpet to be steam cleaned.
Cobwebs to be removed.
Particular attention should be paid to the bathroom and toilet - bathroom cabinets to be cleaned, shower recess to be scrubbed.
Shower screens to be washed.
No belongings or rubbish to be left anywhere on the property, inside or out.
All chattels on the tenancy agreement to be accounted for.
When you have finished your cleanup and the unit is empty, please contact us for the final inspection including the final water reading, settlement of any outstanding charges and hand over of keys.
