Home / Resident Resources / Village Manual / Moving Out

Moving Out

Check-out Procedures | Moving Containers and Trucks | Security Deposit | Damages | Cleaning

Check-out Procedures

  • File an Intent to Vacate through Cal Housing at least 30 days before you vacate.

  • Schedule a Pre-Inspection/Initial Inspection with the Village Office within two weeks before departure. This is not required, but will provide you with a checklist of things to do before you move and may help you to avoid unexpected charges.

  • Students need to update address in CalCentral. IMPORTANT: Request the forwarding mail service with U.S. Postal Service via online or by visiting the U.S. Post office at least two weeks in advance. The closest post office is located at 1191 Solano Ave in Albany. You will not have access to your mailbox after moving out.

  • Discontinue or transfer your telephone/cell phone ancillary equipment service.

  • Discontinue all regular deliveries to your apartment (e.g. newspaper, magazines, Amazon account, etc.)

  • Discontinue any digital subscription services not provided by the University (e.g. cable, satellite)

  • If you have a satellite dish service, remove the satellite dish as well as any coaxial cables and staples. Charges will apply for non-removal. 

  • Check your mailbox before turning in keys. You will not have access to your mailbox after moving out.

  • Return your apartment keys on the stipulated vacate day. DO NOT leave keys in your apartment or with friends. In the event you do not return your keys on the vacate date, you will be charged additional rent for each day late. We cannot classify your apartment as vacant until you have returned your keys. In the event that you do not return your keys and there is every sign that you have moved out, you will be considered “abandoning” the apartment. Subsequently, your locks will be change, you will be charged for the lock change, and may incur prorated rent. 

  • If you are moving out during non-business hours, you may return your keys by putting them in an envelope with your name, building & apartment numbers, and slipping them through the mail slot to the left of the Village Office entrance door.  

  • Students review your CalCentral account to ensure that you’re not delinquent to avoid late fees, financial block, and collection agents.

  • Non-students can contact Student Affairs Cashiers.

  • For rental verification, fill out the form on our website.

Moving Containers and Trucks

  • The Village has limited parking spaces and narrow streets that have to be cleared for AC Transit buses and other through traffic. During unloading and loading of your furniture or moving containers, you are responsible for not blocking the traffic. Please try to use your reserved space (approx. 7.5’ x 16’), ask your neighbors about using their spaces, or use the Guest spaces. . Please do not drive cars, trucks, or trailers on the lawn or sidewalks as you may break underground water lines and be charged for the damage.

Security Deposit

Security deposits are refunded after final inspection of your apartment, and any damage or cleaning charges are deducted. 

  • Deposits may be applied toward any outstanding rents or miscellaneous charges. 

  • It will take Student Affairs Cashiers approximately three weeks to process your refund. 

  • Students can ensure that refunds due are received upon vacating Family Housing by updating account information or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information at CalCentral.

  • Non-student residents with questions about their deposit can call Student Affairs Cashiers at 510.642.1524 or email Business Operations and Finances. Non-Students can sign up for refunds at eBill.

Damages

Common Unacceptable Occupancy Conditions to Avoid

Any damage or cleaning costs incurred will be assessed at current UC Berkeley labor recharge and material rates and are subject to change without prior notification. Tenants are liable for the cost to retun the apartment to the orignal move-in condition, minus normal wear and tear. 

When a resident elects not to clean up their apartment before vacating, it means that University staff must. This is not a regular service and we will charge your CalCentral account for damage and cleaning cost. Failure to pay damage and cleaning costs charged, will result in collection efforts and affect your overall credit. Any of the items below can result in charges to your deposit, or CalCentral account.

  • Bathroom: dirty toilets, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks

  • Blinds: damaged blades and torned stained shades

  • Cabinets: dirty interiors and grimy or greasy exteriors and drawers, adhsive shelving paper

  • Doors and walls: holes, scratches, scuff marks, tape, crayon writing, cigarette smoke, non-removable adhesive backing (i.e. wall decoration use)

  • Flooring: (carpet and linoleum) spotted, stained, burned, not vacuumed and/or in damaged condition; linoleum glued over apartment tile floors; animal stains or smells

  • Kitchen walls: greasy

  • Painting (do not): kitchen cabinets, apartment walls or doors

  • Range: greasy ovens, burner drip pans, and greasy vent hoods

  • Smoke detectors: do not remove or tamper

  • Refrigerator: cracked shelving, damaged crispers and dirty interiors/exteriors

  • Window and door screens: damaged

  • Use of unapproved renovations: sloppy spackling of sheetrock and/or door holes

  • Abandoned furniture, fixtures and debris in and around the apartment

  • Any alterations of exteriors and landscape

Cleaning

Initial Inspection

When you submit your Intent to Vacate form, please request an appointment for an Initial Pre-Inspection. This inspection, which generally takes no more than 15 minutes, is usually scheduled within two weeks prior to move-out. The inspection does not require any special preparation or advance cleaning; it is best for the inspector to see how the apartment is usually kept. The purpose of this inspection is to identify areas that could potentially result in charges if not remedied by the time of your final inspection, which occurs after you vacate the apartment. (Note: Same procedure applies to Transfers)

The inspector will leave a written account of what items were discussed with you or seen in your apartment if you were not present. The process and details are defined on the Initial Inspection request form and on the preliminary itemized statement of cleaning or damage repairs.

Cleaning Your Apartment

Although we expect a certain amount of normal wear and tear on your apartment, it must be left in a clean and satisfactory condition. By the time of your vacate date, your apartment most likely has been assigned and the prospective tenants must be able to move in without delay.

The following is provided to assist you in meeting necessary University Family Housing’s standards of cleanliness. Do not wait to begin cleaning on the last day before move-out.

Kitchen Equipment

Appliances in the kitchen typically require the most attention upon move-out. Regular cleaning on a day- to-day basis is the best practice. Otherwise, allow sufficient time for deep, detailed cleaning to meet expectations.

Gas Stove

  • DO NOT pull the stove out from the wall, as it may distrub the gas line.

  • Take out all of the oven’s removable parts and place them in the sink for cleaining. Clean the with a heavy-duty degrassing cleaner and a new scrub pad and sponge, following the recommendations listed below.

  • Run the oven self-clean feature, if it has moderate to heavy build-up from frequent use. Refer to your stove manual for cleaning procedures. DO NOT use any cleaning products inside oven.

  • Wash stove top, edges and front of control panel, drip pans, racks, and oven drawer with a cleaning solution (such as Spic and Span) to remove grease and marks. Use care not to scratch or saturate any electronic parts (such as LED control screen for oven.)

  • Remove any residue on the burner pans, under and on top of the rings (around the coils on top), on the broiler/grill (both sides) with steel wool pads, such as S.O.S. Soaking the pans in an ammonia solution will help loosen any residue.

  • Remove stove knobs and clean in a soapy water solution. We recommend that you soak them for a few hours in the solution to gently clean them. Do not use heavy duty oven cleanser on the knobs since it may remove the writing from the knob. Do not scrub the knobs with steel wool pads since they will scratch the finish and also may remove the writing. 

  • Reassemble the stove with the cleaned removable parts, and wipe down all surfaces including the bottom drawer. Leave broiler pan inside oven. Vacuum any debris under the stove by removing drawer in front of stove.

Hood Fan (over stove)

  • Clean top, sides and front of fan over the stove with a heavy-duty grease cleaner.

  • Do not remove filter screens for cleaning as the concentrated grease may clog the drain in your sink.

Refrigerator

  • Remove all food from inside the refrigerator and freezer. Remove any items on top of thenrefrigerator compartments.

  • Turn off or unplug the refrigerator while cleaning.

  • Clean the outside of the refrigerator with a mild liquid detergent or baking soda; be sure to wipe the doors, sides, and top of the refrigerator. We suggest that you use a new sponge designed for scrubbing hard surfaces. Do not use steel wool pads that may scratch the surface. Roll refrigerator out from the wall and remove all personal property around it. Vacuum and clean the floors and walls, under, behind, and beside the refrigerator.

  • Clean the inside of the refrigerator thoroughly. Wash the walls, door shelves, racks, vegetable drawers, crisper top, door and door gasket/rubber strip around door (especially gasket folds). Leave the ice trays inside the refrigerator.

  • Occasionally refrigerators will accumulate frost. Do not use ice picks, hair dryers or other heating mechanisms to help defrost the freezer. Excessive heat may puncture the evaporator lines and you will be charged for replacement refrigerator.

Kitchen Sink

  • Wash the kitchen sink and faucets with a soft scrub liquid cleanser.

  • Clean the metal drainpipe in the cabinet under the sink. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

  • Remove any garbage spills or stains using care not to scratch the cabinet bottom.

Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers

  • Clean wood cabinets and drawers carefully to avoid damage from scrubbing too hard or using abrasive cleaners Wash the outside ‘faces’ and insides of all cabinets and drawers (especially around the handles) with mild liquid detergent.

  • Empty the drawers and wipe them out. Vacuum any dry goods spills in drawers (i.e. seeds, spices, rice, salt). Wipe down all sticky spots with a sponge and mild soap solution.

General Apartment Cleaning

Bathroom Fixtures

  • Wash the tub, tub wall, vanity top, sink, faucets, soap dish, medicine chest, toilet (including all around outside of the bowl, seat, and lid), floors, baseboards, walls, and doors. Use soft cleanser on all shower, tub, sink and tile areas; then rinse well and wipe dry to avoid spotting or residue.

  • Some mildew deposits will clean up from fixtures and walls with a general cleaner; for stubborn mildew and mold stains, you may need a product such as X-14 or Tilex. Use a scrubbing sponge or stiff brush/toothbrush to remove mildew.

  • Wash the medicine cabinet inside and out, including the top and sides.

  • Wipe the mirror with non-abrasive glass cleaner. Remove any decals/stickers that you have applied. Use rubbing alcohol or glass cleaning solution for difficult removal.

Walls and Doors

  • Remove all nails, picture hooks and anchors from the walls. DO NOT fill holes; painters will repair them. Charges may be assessed for any drilled holes, ceiling hooks and large nail holes, except holes specifically used to “earthquake proof” your property. Charges may also apply if: hardware is not removed, if there are an excessive number of holes, or if holes have been badly patched or filled. 

  • Remove all marks on walls and doors. This includes: tape marks, handprints, writing in chalk, crayon, marker or pencil, furniture scuffs and any other marks or scuffs that can be removed with detergent and water, scrub pad and sponge. 

  • Clean light switches, electric outlet covers, door handles, and baseboards. Unplug items and turn off the circuit breaker before cleaning around electrical outlets. 

  • Remove all mildew by using a 10% bleach/90% water solution. Never mix bleach and ammonia. For more help with mildew removal, see Mold and Mildew Control

Window Areas

  • Remove all stickers, stars, tape and tape marks from the windows, walls and ceilings. 

  • Clean all the window frames. 

  • Vacuum or brush off all screens and leave screens in place in the window.

  • Vacuum or dust off all window blinds and sills. 

  • Clean all window tracks and any dirt or mold growth on vinyl edges; you do not have to wash the 
window glass. Leave all security locks at the windows.

  • Untangle any knot on blind cords.

Heaters and Stoves

  • When leaving, turn off heater thermostat, stove burners and oven controls.

Other Important Reminders

  • Leave all UC-provided recycling and compost containers in the apartment. Failure to leave them will result in charges.

  • Remove any items in storage, and thoroughly sweep or vacuum the storage area. Remove any hardware attached to the walls.

  • Remove any items on patio or balcony and thoroughly sweep or vacuum. Remove any hardware attached to walls or downspout hardware. Wash down any chalk or marks on walls in the area.

  • Turn off the lights. Lock doors and windows. Remove name from mailbox.

  • Moving “Dollies” (handcarts for moving heavy items) may be checked out from the Office. If you borrow a moving dolly, you are responsible for its proper usage and liable for it while it is in your possession. There will be a charge for dollies not returned within 24-hour period. Dollies checked out on weekends may be kept until Monday at no additional charge. The charge for a lost dolly is $265.