It’s their apartment, they’re letting you lease it…..

That said, you have certain obligations to fulfill….. from the signing of the lease until you vacate.

In order to get the apartment, the owner checked you out,….. the information you gave and your credit score. This is done so that they know how much of a risk they’re taking by choosing you as the one who will be staying on/in their property. It is all legal and above board.

You sign a lease…. a legal document…. stating that you are leasing for a particular time frame at a particular price.  You probably have also paid first, last and security deposit. First month is obvious, last is actually to the benefit of both…. them so they have that last month’s rent and you so that the rent you would have paid that month gives you a start for the cost of the next place you move to, and the security deposit, which is usually equal to a month’s rent, is held by the owner for the purpose of any damage to the apartment done by you so they have money there to pay for the damages. If there is no damage you get the full amount back plus interest (it’s the law), or, if there is some damage, the cost is deducted and the remainder is sent back to you.

When you do leave a rental unit, you should leave it clean.  You don’t need a cleaning service, but it should be left ‘sweep clean’…. meaning that when the next tenant moves in, they can put their boxes etc on the floor and feel okay with that. They will clean the cabinets and bathroom again, and sweep and mop again, but you should leave the apartment completely empty and cabinets completely empty. When you move into your next rental, you would expect the same.

So remember, while you are renting, save a bit each month specifically for the first, last and security deposit, and of course the movers, so that when the time comes, you’re all set to pack and go….. and have the money already there and waiting.