Moving out of a rental property is a significant transition that involves more than just a change of address. At Bluhm & Company, we aim to make this process as transparent as possible for our tenants across the Monterey Bay area.
Providing notice is the first step, but understanding your ongoing responsibilities—and how unique situations like military service or roommate changes affect your lease—is essential for a successful move.
The Right Way to Give Notice
To ensure your notice is processed correctly and your timeline is clear, we require formal documentation.
- In-Person or Postal Mail: Your written notice must be delivered physically to our office.
- Acknowledgment Required: A notice is only considered “delivered” once it has been formally acknowledged by Bluhm & Company. We recommend hand-delivering or using a trackable mail service to avoid any ambiguity regarding your move-out date.
- No Digital-Only Notices: Per our management protocols, notice cannot be accepted via text, phone call, or email.
Notice Does Not End Responsibility
A common misconception is that once a notice is handed in, the tenant’s obligations cease. This is not the case. Giving your move-out date does not automatically terminate your responsibilities.
- Rent & Utilities: You are financially responsible for rent and utility payments through the official end of your lease term or the end of your 30-day notice period, whichever is later.
- Property Care: You must maintain the home, including landscaping and basic upkeep, until the keys are physically returned to our office.
- Liability: You remain legally liable for the condition of the property and any incidents that occur on the premises until your tenancy officially concludes.
Special Protections for Active Duty Military
We are proud to serve the many military families stationed at the Presidio of Monterey, NPS, and Coast Guard Station Monterey. If you are an active-duty service member, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides specific protections for lease termination:
- Qualifying Events: You may terminate your lease early if you receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders or orders to deploy for 90 days or more.
- Documentation: To invoke these rights, you must provide us with a written notice and a copy of your official orders (or a letter from your commanding officer).
- Effective Date: Per the SCRA, lease termination is typically effective 30 days after the first date on which the next rental payment is due. For example, if you provide notice on the 15th of the month, your lease would end 30 days after the 1st of the following month.
Navigating Roommate Transitions
Roommate situations require careful handling to ensure everyone’s liability is addressed.
- The Departing Roommate: If one roommate moves out while others remain, the departing tenant is not automatically released from the lease. You must contact us to discuss a Lease Amendment or a Roommate Change Agreement.
- Security Deposits: Bluhm & Company does not “split” or return partial security deposits when one person leaves. The security deposit stays with the property until the unit is fully vacated by all parties. Roommates are responsible for settling the departing person’s portion of the deposit amongst themselves.
Options for “Breaking a Lease”
If you need to vacate before your lease expires for non-military reasons, you are generally responsible for the rent until the end of the term. However, we practice mitigation of damages.
We will work with you to re-rent the property to a new, qualified tenant. Once a new tenant begins paying rent, your financial obligation for the remaining term ends. We encourage early communication so we can begin marketing the home as soon as possible to minimize your costs.
From Tenant to Homeowner: The Bluhm Team
Is your move motivated by a desire to stop renting? If you are considering purchasing a home on the Monterey Peninsula, the Bluhm Team is here to represent you.
As local real estate experts, we can help you transition from one of our managed properties into a home of your own. Our deep knowledge of neighborhoods from Seaside to Carmel Highlands gives our clients a distinct advantage.
Start your home-buying journey today at bluhmteam.com.
Your Move-Out Checklist
To help you secure a full return of your security deposit, please follow these key steps:
- [ ] Submit Written Notice: Deliver by mail or in person and receive acknowledgment.
- [ ] Schedule Pre-Inspection: You have the right to an initial inspection two weeks prior to moving.
- [ ] Professional Cleaning: The unit must be professionally cleaned (please provide receipt).
- [ ] Final Handover: Return all keys and remotes to our office to officially stop the rent clock.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Bluhm & Company today to discuss your move-out plans or to explore local real estate opportunities.