Check Out Information

Please make an appointment with our office to have your apartment inspected. Hours for checking out are by appointment only. Please give the office as much notice as possible, as times do fill up rapidly. Be completely moved out and have the apartment clean prior to the scheduled check-out time. Check-outs on the last day of your lease are to be scheduled to take place by NOON, since your lease expires at that time.

The person inspecting your apartment does not have the authority to refund any deposits. The balance of your deposit will be mailed to you within 30 days as provided by state law. You will expedite this procedure by returning all keys and reporting forwarding addressed when checking out. It is mandatory for one tenant to be present during the inspection, in case of any questions or additional cleaning requirements.

When you notify the utility company, please tell them the final day of your lease term. They will read the meters for your final bill and switch the account to SouthGate Management. All final bills must be paid within 30 days. Any past due balances are still your responsibility and will be deducted from your security deposit if no paid. You should also fill out a Postal Service change of address form, which can be found at the post office or at www.usps.com.

Grass and sidewalks are fragile! Therefore, we must insist that no one drive on either while in the process of moving.

Do not fill nail holes! No charge will be made for normal sized nail holes as long as they are neither concentrated in one area nor are there an excessive amount of holes throughout the unit.

An automatic deduction from your security deposit of $10.00 per bag of trash that has not been removed for you apartment at check out time will be made.

Please schedule yourself at least a full day to clean. Many times it takes longer that you might think! It would help you to do as much cleaning as you are able to in advance.

SUGGESTED CLEANING SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT NEEDED
(Please use brand names or their equivalent and follow instructions.)

Cleaners Supplies

The Works Mop/Broom/Dust Pan
Lime-A-Way Batteries for Smoke Detectors
Easy-Off Oven Cleaner Scrub Brush/Toothbrush
Scotch-Brite Pads Paper towels
Lysol/Pine Sol Old towels/rags
Windex Screwdriver
Vanish Toilet Cleaner Bucket
SOS Pads Light Bulbs
Soft Scrub Rubber Gloves
Fantastic/409 Toilet Brush

Refrigerator:

Remove, wash, and wipe dry all shelves and drawers. Spray inside with cleaner and wipe dry with a cloth or paper towels. Spilled food may have to soak. Replace shelves and drawers. Clean all sides that you can reach. Unplug and leave doors open.

Electric Stoves (wear rubber gloves):

Unplug stove before cleaning. Clean oven and drip pans with Easy Off. Spray both sides of oven racks. Remove, scrub with SOS pads and warm water, and then replace stovetop rings and pans. Wipe off oven with warm water and a rag. Oven racks should be spotless of both sides. Clean stove knobs and around the knobs. Lift up top of stove and clean under the burners. Clean the sides if they can be reached. Be sure not to get Easy-Off on control knob area, it will damage the enamel. Remove the bottom drawer and clean underneath the stove. Check the oven a few hours after you are finished cleaning to ensure there is not a film remaining from the oven cleaner. Wipe down with Lysol or Fantastic.

Microwave:
Clean inside and outside using 409 Kitchen Cleaner. And remove vent and clean with warm water and 409 cleaner.

Range Hood or Vent Fan:
Clean hood with Lysol and warm water as well as removing and cleaning the vent screen. Dry both with a cloth or paper towel and replace the vent screen.
Cupboards and drawers:
Use Lysol and warm water as well as removing and cleaning the vent screen. Dry both with a cloth or paper towel and replace the vent screen.

Hall/Bedroom Closets:
Clean all closets thoroughly. Use Lysol and hot water to clean all shelves and rods. Remove and shelf liner or contact paper. Vacuum the floors.

Curtain Rods:
Clean all curtain rods, including the tops, with Lysol and a rag.

Blinds:
Take off holder and clean in bathtub with soapy warm water, be sure to hang dry!! You may use a hand duster if the blinds are not really dirty.

Air registers:
Remove, then brush away any loose dirt and clean with Fantastic.

Furnace/Water Heater Room:
Clean floor thoroughly.

Light fixtures:
Clean glass with Windex, inside and out. Replace burnt out bulbs, including those in refrigerator and range hood. (60 watt in bedrooms and kitchen ceilings, 40 watts in hall and above kitchen sink, and appliance bulbs for the refrigerator and range hood.)

Doors:
Wipe off doors including tops of trim. Clean the dust from the slats in the furnace room door.

Windows:
Remove window panels, clean both sides with Windex, and wipe off with paper towels. Wipe off window frames.

Window Tracks:
Spray with Fantastic. Use folded paper towels or old cloth and push into track with screwdriver. Slide along track and repeat until clean.

Woodwork:
Clean dirt from doors (including tops) and woodwork with Lysol and a cloth or paper towels.

Wall & Switch Plates:
Wash with a mild cleaning solution using a cloth or brush. Do not get the adjoining walls wet.

Kitchen Sink:
Wash & wipe dry with Fantastic. Use Soft Scrub on stubborn stains. Sink should be shiny when clean. Take off faucet knobs and remove lime deposit with Lime-Away and a small brush. Replace knobs.

Dishwasher:
Be sure to open and clean the ledge inside, and also clean the inside and outside of the door. We suggest you use 409 Kitchen Cleaner.

Floors (Including Balcony):
Sweep, wash with Lysol or floor cleaner and water, and dry kitchen and bathroom floors. Vacuum all carpeted room, hallways, and closets. Sweep balcony floor, if applicable. Remove all trash from balcony.

Medicine Cabinet:
Remove mirrors from the tracks, you will be able to reach inside the cabinets better. Clean all shelves with Windex or Lysol. Spray inside and wipe dry. Clean mirrors with Windex.

Toilets (wear rubber gloves):
Spray Vanish around inside the bowl and scrub with Scotch Pad. Use Fantastic on all exterior surfaces of toilet wiping clean with paper towels. Clean the seats, the lids, the base, and the floor area around the base. Do not use Vanish anywhere other that inside the toilet bowl.

Bathroom sinks, tub, and shower (wear rubber gloves):
Use Lime-Away or The Works and a scrub pad to clean sink both inside and out. Use Lime-A-Way and a brush on faucets. Clean shower curtain rod. Use The Works bathroom spray on tub and shower, let set, and wipe down with Lysol or Fantastic. Dry so as not to leave a film. When done, run finger along side of shower to see if any soap residue appears. If so, repeat process as necessary.

Garage (if applicable):
Clean out and sweep garage. Put all trash in dumpster.

Comments:
It is the policy of SouthGate Management to give the residents every opportunity to have nothing deducted from the deposit for cleaning charges. That is why we provide you with such detailed instructions. Those who follow these directions diligently and clean to our standards will have nothing deducted for cleaning charges.

There may be charges for other things such as damages directly caused by the residents, late fees, past due rent, items that have not been, etc.

It is our desire to return your entire deposit. If we work together this can happen. We hope that you are able to relax and make the cleaning of your apartment a rewarding experience. Call us if we can be of help or can answer any questions. Our best wishes to you and we appreciate your efforts.