At Cissell Management Co., we place great importance on fairness and transparency regarding move-out charges. We aim to ensure that you don't have any move-out charges, as it benefits you and minimizes our workload during busy periods. It's essential to note that the charges for any items listed below are not meant to be punitive; they reflect the actual costs we incur to address these issues.
Here are some helpful tips regarding the most common charges we come across:
Paint
Minor scuffing and using picture hangers for hanging pictures are considered normal wear and tear, and you will not be charged for these. However, any actual damage to the walls will incur charges. If damage occurs on a specific wall, we will only charge for repairing that particular wall, not the entire room.
Examples of wall damage include:
- Holes in the wall
- Excessive nail holes
- Large wall anchors
- Spills on the wall
- Smoke stains from candles
- Excessive scuffing
- Footprints
- Excessive dirt
- Excessive dirt from pets
- Water stains running down bathroom walls due to failure to use the vent fan after showering
- Unapproved painted walls (we do not permit residents to paint)
Cost estimation:
According to HUD guidelines, a paint job on a rental property should last three years. For example, if we painted the house entirely before you moved in, and you moved out after one year, requiring us to spend $900 on repainting due to damage, the property owner would have had two remaining years of use from that paint job. Therefore, you would be responsible for the remaining two years of the useful life of the paint. We divide the cost to repaint ($900) by three, resulting in $300 per year. You would be responsible for $600, not the entire cost, as the owner benefited from the first year of the paint job while you lived there.
Important note: Touching up paint can often be challenging to match. We advise against attempting to touch up the paint unless you know this area. In the past, we have encountered situations where residents tried touch-ups, leading to additional charges for repainting walls that could have been avoided.
Cleaning
Professional cleaning fees may initially seem expensive, but they are worthwhile, considering how difficult the job is.
A thorough cleaning should be conducted for the following items:
- Appliances
- Bathrooms
- Closets
- Cabinets (inside and out)
- Baseboards
- Windows
- Window sills
- Blinds
- Carpets
- Hard floors
- Light globes
- Vent hoods
- A/C vents
- Furnace closet
- Water heater closet
- Doors
- Switch plate covers
Should you clean yourself? We recommend against taking on the extensive and demanding task of cleaning yourself, especially after days of packing and moving. There's nothing worse than spending 5 or 6 hours cleaning only to be charged a cleaning fee later. Our professional cleaners consist of a crew of three to four people who dedicate three to four hours to ensure a thorough cleaning. That's 10-16 man-hours for professionals who do this daily.
Even if you hire a professional cleaner, it's advisable not to leave the property extremely dirty, as the cleaning costs will be considerably higher. Additionally, cleaners may charge extra for removing trash and personal items left behind.
If you hire a cleaner other than our recommended vendors, please note that not all cleaners provide a deep clean. Many focus on major items, so we recommend thoroughly checking their work.
Carpet Cleaning
Professional steam cleaning is required for carpets.
Light Bulbs
When you receive the property, all light bulbs are expected to be in working order. Similarly, when you move out, we expect all light bulbs to function. We will charge for each blown light bulb that we replace.
Trash and Personal Items
Please remove any trash or personal items left on the property. Charges will apply for any things we need to remove.
Alterations to Property
Unauthorized alterations made to the property will be reverted to their original condition at the resident's expense.
Examples include:
- door knobs(keyed)
- towel and toilet paper racks
- cabinet pulls
- light fixtures.
Utilities and Other Bills
Any outstanding utility charges left unpaid upon moving out will result in a handling charge.
Keys or Key FOBS, Pool Passes, Garage Door Openers (if applicable)
Please leave these items in the kitchen at the time of move-out.
- Any missing keys or key FOBS will cost will be charged to the resident
- The cost for pool passes not returned at move-out will be determined based on the amount charged by the HOA.
- In the case of missing garage door openers, we will charge for the missing opener and the vendor's cost to program the remote and clear any missing garage door remotes from the motor.
Except for painting, please address the items above before we receive the property from you. We charge an hourly rate to facilitate any necessary tasks related to the items that should be completed by the resident.
We strive to maintain open communication and provide clarity throughout the move-out process while also being equitable to all parties involved. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
