When moving out of your present residence, one of your most important considerations will be taking the proper steps to ensure the prompt and complete return of your security deposit. The following guidelines are intended to assist you in preparing the property for final inspection and the refund of your security deposit.

As an essential consideration, you are required to return the residence to its original condition, with normal wear and tear excepted. First, review the Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Form you may have filled out at the time you originally moved into the residence. We also ask you to review the rental contract you initially signed, along with any subsequent addenda. These documents typically contain detailed information on specific responsibilities. If you are unclear on any of the Lease Agreement terms or you have any questions regarding the interpretation of your specific lease agreement or the parties' respective rights or obligations under it, please consult your attorney.

Q. How many days' notice do I need to give to move out?

A.  It depends on your Lease Agreement, but in most cases, the State of California requires a written 30 Day Notice. The 30-day clock starts on the date that Born Real Estate actually receives your written notice.

Q. How do I notify you of my intent to move?

A.  Review your lease agreement to see how many days' notice you must provide; most lease agreements require a written 30-day notice.  Be sure to include the date you intend to move out in your notice. We suggest you submit your notice to move out on the BornManagement.com website via the "Notice of Intent to Vacate" button under the "Resident" tab or via the Resident Center Portal by opening a resident request. You will receive a confirmation of the notice within 48 hours with further instructions.

Q.  How do I turn in my keys and any garage door remote?

A.  Technically, to be “Moved-Out” you must personally deliver any keys (common space and mailbox), garage door openers, and gate remote controls to the Management Office before 12 Midnight on the lease expiration date. If these items are not returned on time, a pro-rated rent will be charged daily until they are turned in to the office up to 7 Days. Failure to return the keys within 7 days of the lease expiration date will result in a charge to replace the keys/locks, plus a $200 administrative fee. Please do not leave any keys in the unit.

Q.  Do I need to clean the property before I vacate?

A.  Check your lease first because most Tenants are required to have the home professionally cleaned upon vacating the premises (evidenced by receipt). Including, but not limited to, interior window cleaning and professional carpet cleaning, please refer to the Lease Agreement for specific instructions.

Q.  Do you have a list of preferred service providers that help me clean?

A.  Yes, please refer to our list of recommended Cleaning Service Providers.

Q.  Am I entitled to an initial pre-move-out inspection?

A.  It is not required that you have one, but yes, you can request and are entitled to have one. You have the right to request a pre-move-out inspection of the premises and to be present during that inspection. The inspection will not occur earlier than 2 weeks before the move-out date and will be conducted during normal business hours. After submitting your notice, use the Appointment Scheduling Calendar to book your Pre-Move-Out Meeting.

Q.  Am I entitled to be present at the final move-out inspection?

A.  No, we do not conduct move-out inspections with the outgoing residents present.  This is completed once the resident has vacated the property and turned in all keys, garage door remotes, and other opening devices for the unit, including any common areas.  Our staff conducts the move-out inspections after the home is vacated.

 Q.  What forms do I need to complete to move out? 

A.  Born requires you to return the Inspection Election and Security Deposit Disposition Authorization form within 72 hours of giving notice to verify your refund and pre-move-out inspection preferences. To be eligible for an electronic refund, you must complete the authorization form with signatures from all tenants, and the designated payee must log into the Resident Center to submit their bank account information. Failure to return the form or verify bank details before surrendering possession will result in a joint physical check sent via U.S. Mail.

Q.  When will my Security Deposit be returned?

A.   California State Law requires your Landlord return your Security Deposit within 21 Days after the Owner/Agent has regained possession of the premises. If any portion of the Security Deposit is withheld, the Owner/Agent will send an itemized statement indicating the basis and the amount.

Q.  Where will you send my Security Deposit Disposition?

A.  To help make sure your refund is processed as quickly as possible, we require you to select an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) via the Resident Center. For this to occur, all tenants named on the Lease Agreement must sign the Security Deposit Disposition Authorization form designating a single payee. That designated payee must then verify their bank account information within the Resident Center portal before surrendering possession. If you do not complete the authorization, provide a forwarding address prior to or upon surrendering your keys to verify the delivery of your refund via mailed check. If you do not provide an address, we will mail your disposition to the property address and assume you have active mail-forwarding arrangements with the US Postal Service.

Q.  Will I get a list of deductions from my security deposit if money is withheld?

A.  Owner/Agent shall provide you with an itemized statement, indicating the basis for, and the amount of, any security received and the disposition of the security, and shall return any remaining portion of such security deposit to Resident.

Q.  If there are several roommates, how will my Security Deposit Disposition be handled?

A. By default, California law requires security deposit refunds to be issued as a single physical check made payable to all tenants named on the Lease Agreement. To help make sure your refund is handled according to your group's preference, we offer two options:

• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): This is our preferred method for a faster return. To utilize this, all tenants must sign the Security Deposit Disposition Authorization form designating a single payee to receive the full amount. The designated payee must then verify their bank details within the Resident Center portal.

• Physical Check: If no authorization form is received, a joint check made out to all named tenants will be mailed to the forwarding address provided.

Verification Required: The signed authorization form must be submitted to our office or uploaded to the Resident Center no later than the surrender of possession (key return) to be eligible for the EFT option. It is the tenants' responsibility to coordinate the internal distribution of funds among themselves.