We want to refund your deposit. It's to our advantage since it means a shorter turn around time for the next tenant and fewer scheduling headaches for cleaning people and repair personal  All we ask is that the apartment is as clean as when you moved in. Ask yourself if you would use the bathroom or put food in the refrigerator. Do you see spots on the carpet, mold in the bathroom, stains in the oven? Don’t expect to move and clean the unit on the same day. It’s two full days of work per occupant just to clean.

PRE PLAN

Drapes must be clean. It’s best to do one room at a time so you don’t feel like you’re living in a fish bowl. Carefully take down the drapes, pull out the metal hook. Put the hooks in a plastic bag. Take the drapes to a dry cleaner. We recommend Arlene’s Cleaners at 2980 College (Elmwood) 510-548-6138. Red Hangar cleaners at College and Claremont and MS Cleaners at Telegraph and Alcatraz also do drapes. When you get the drapes back, replace the hooks and hang the drapes if you need privacy. Otherwise leave the cleaned drapes in a closet. We won’t charge for re-hooking and hanging the drapes. Leave a copy of the receipt in the unit. *

If you think the drapes are too worn to be dry cleaned, call us and we’ll inspect the drapes before you leave. We don’t charge for replacing drapes that deteriorate over the years from sun exposure. Schedule a Carpet cleaner if you plan not to steam clean the carpets yourself. Leave a copy of the cleaning or rental receipt in the unit.*

KITCHEN

Defrost and clean refrigerator. Don’t unplug it; turn the temperature dial to defrost. Don’t chip ice from freezer. You’ll gouge the coolant lines and total the refrigerator. It’s a big deduction. Leave refrigerator on when you’re done.
Clean the oven, burners and drip catchers.
Clean exhaust fan, hood, and screen.
Clean drawers and cupboards and cabinets.
Clean counter tops and sink.
Mop floor.

BATHROOM

Clean mold from all surfaces including ceiling. (X-14 works great)
Clean toilet, tub, and sink, shower doors and tracks.
Clean inside vanity and medicine cabinet.
Mop floor.

LIVING ROOM BEDROOMS

Clean closet shelves.
Vacuum cobwebs in corners.
Clean smudges from walls.
Vacuum floors
Steam clean carpets. Leave receipts with keys. *
Dry clean drapes.
Clean dirt and mold from window tracks.

Do not dispose of accumulated possessions (clothes, utensils, papers, furniture, hygiene products, food, etc.) in the trash or dumpster. If we have to call City Refuse Collection during the month of your departure for an additional pickup, the charge (approximately $40) plus an administrative charge will be deducted from your deposit. If you litter around the dumster or sidewalk, the minimum charge is $200.

Bag your excess trash and take it to the dump at 1201-2nd St. Berkeley. Take San Pablo to Gilman. Turn west on Gilman (toward the bay) to 2nd St ,turn right (north) and follow the signs. They're open Monday thru Friday 7 AM to 5 PM. and weekends 8 AM to 4 PM. The minimum charge is $7.90. Furniture, mattresses and sofas, are $5.60. Leave a copy of your receipt with your forwarding address.*

Leave keys, including mailbox key, in a kitchen drawer with an envelope addressed to where you want the deposit sent. You pay rent until the keys are returned to us or you let us know they’re lost and you’ll pay locksmith charges to rekey the unit. There's a $50 minimum charge for missing mailbox key. Lock the door handle and pull it closed behind you when you depart.

*Please note, receipts are not required, and you will not automatically be charged if you don’t leave them.