Residential Move-Out Instructions

To vacate, please follow these procedures

1.     Schedule Walk-Through or Return Keys:

    • Schedule a walk-through appointment by your move-out date or sooner. Call us in advance to arrange a time (M-F 8 am to 4:30 pm).
    • If you can't complete the walk-through, drop off all keys at our office by your move-out date.
    • The property must be vacant, clean, and ready for the walk-through.

2.     Return Keys:

    • Return keys within 24 hours of your scheduled move-out date. Keys can be mailed or delivered in person to Longford Management, 3816 12th St. NW, Washington DC 20017.
    • Security deposits are not released until all keys are returned.
    • Charges apply for unreturned keys: $200 per unit key, $50 per mailbox key.

3.     Thermostat Settings:

    • Winter: Set the thermostat to 60 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.
    • Summer: Set the thermostat to 78 degrees.

4.     Provide New Mailing Address:

    • Submit your forwarding address to facilitate the return of your security deposit.

5.     Utility Transfers:

    • Contact utility companies to transfer utilities back to the landlord’s name using Longford’s mailing address: Longford Management 3816 12th St. NE Washington DC 20017
    • Notify Longford if utility companies refuse the transfer before the lease end date.

Preparing the Property

1.     Cleaning:

    • Clean the interior and exterior, including vinyl or tile floors, windows (inside and out), windowsills, door casings, mini-blinds, drawers, shelves, appliances, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, vanities, light fixtures, fireplaces, and remove cobwebs.

2.     Replace Items:

    • Replace light bulbs, filters, smoke detector batteries, and doorstops. Ensure the property has a clean air filter before vacating.

3.     Pest Control:

    • Notify the office if you experience pest issues before your move-out date for scheduled pest control services.

4.     Trash:

    • Arrange and pay for hauling if trash exceeds normal pickup limits. Bulk items like furniture or mattresses left behind will be picked up at your expense.

5.     Painting:

    • Do not putty, spackle, or touch up paint unless you can guarantee a match. Contact our office for paint/touch-up services to avoid additional costs.

6.     Post Move-Out Inspection:

    • The property will be inspected shortly after the lease end date. You may be present for the inspection. Schedule this with Longford Management.

Note: Rent is charged until all keys are returned. Returning keys signifies relinquishing possession and completion of cleanup.


Security Deposit Return

When Will My Security Deposit be Returned?

There are many factors that are involved with returning a security deposit at the end of a resident’s lease.

Security deposits are only prepared for distribution once all residents on a joint lease have vacated a property. If there are no damages or other contributing factors that would cause monies to be withheld from a security deposit, the security deposit is then prepared and mailed within 45 days of the lease end date, which may not be the same as the move-out date. Residents must provide their forwarding address or enter a destination bank account where funds will be sent to one member of the lease to the Longford Management office upon move out which was a field on the Notice to Vacate form available in your online Portal.  If you do not yet have your forwarding address, please contact us.

Partial Security Deposit Returns

If you are receiving a partial security deposit Longford Management will notify you within 30 days after your lease end date. The partial return will be made within 45 days of your lease end date. You must provide your new/current address in an efficient manner.  If you haven’t provided your new/current address for us to return your security deposit, payment may be delayed.  You can use the linked Forwarding Address from above to communicate this to us.

Longford personnel will discuss any damages with the property owner after the move out inspection has occurred.

Longford will prepare or obtain estimates for deductions that will be detailed to the departing resident in writing.

If the vacating resident owes money for rent and/or damages, the amount deducted will appear on the security deposit return letter.

Any remaining security funds will be sent to the forwarding address provided by the resident.

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