Before you move
Pre-move out deposit notice
Most deposit disputes are won or lost before move-out, because there was never a dated, written record of the unit’s condition. A pre-move out deposit notice fixes that. It is a short, formal letter sent in the days before key return that asks the landlord for a joint walk-through, restates the deposit amount, and confirms the forwarding address against your state’s deposit-return deadline.
Build your pre-move noticeWhat to include
- Move-out date and proposed joint walk-through time
- Deposit amount on file and the rental unit address
- Forwarding address for the refund check or itemized statement
- Reference to your state’s deposit-return statute and the day-count window
When to send it
Send it 7 to 14 days before key return. That gives the landlord enough lead time to schedule the walk-through in writing and forces an early paper trail if they decline.
What comes next
If the landlord declines or ignores the walk-through request, do your own dated photo and video documentation on the last day. Keep both the notice and any reply (or the silence) attached to your move-out file in case a refund or dispute letter is needed later.
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