Unit Condition

Normal Wear & Tear vs Damage

Living in a space will naturally cause it to deteriorate as appliances are used, paths are worn, and paint is chipped or faded. This kind of deterioration caused by “normal wear and tear” is not subject to deposit deductions. Damage, on the other hand, is subject to deductions.

  • Examples of normal wear and tear include:

    • Fading/worn carpet

    • Fading laminate flooring, minor scuffs/scrapes

    • Light scratching/watermarks on countertops

    • Small cracks in walls caused by settling of building

    • Small, infrequent holes in walls caused by nails, screws, or tacks

    • Fading, chipped, or scuffed paint

    • Warn/loose/stuck hardware of doors and cabinets caused by normal use

  • Examples of damage include:

    • Carpet that has been stained, ripped, or pet-soiled

    • Large increase of scratches/scuffs of flooring since last inspection

    • Broken glass, screens, or hardware of windows

    • Large holes in wall

    • Unapproved or mismatched paint, heavy stains, scribbles

    • Damage/discoloration caused by water, smoke, or other elements

Unit Condition Overview

After you’ve vacated, your unit will be inspected before maintenance begins in order to determine what the process will entail. The factors below will directly impact this process and cost of turning the unit.

  • If the unit has been properly cleaned (more on this in the following section), maintenance will be able to get started immediately without need of a pre-clean.

    If the unit has not been left cleaned, a pre-clean may be required before maintenance begins. This is considered an additional cleaning charge, which is subject to deposit deductions.

  • All personal belongings and furniture should be removed from your unit.

    Trash and recycling should be properly disposed of in the compactor area. Furniture/bulky items that need to be disposed of but cannot be placed in the compactor require special pick up.

    Arrangement for pick up of bulky items/furniture can be completed here or in Move-out Resources.

  • These charges may vary depending on changing costs from vendors/manufacturers/retailers and are only applicable when they accrue as a direct result of damage/improper use of the unit or failure to properly dispose of items. The link below will open a PDF of a more comprehensive list of the terms specified in this section.

    Arcadia Crossing Repair Costs

    Painting: $100.00 — $750.00+
    Repairing discoloration of smoke damage/covering other color variations

    Repairs: $35.00 — $75.00+
    Drywall patching/repairs, re-screening windows/doors

    Replacements: $3.00 - $200.00+
    Vertical blinds, window blinds, doors, light bulbs, appliance parts, etc.

    Cleaning: $35.00+
    Heavily soiled: tub/shower, appliances, ceiling fans, cabinets/drawers, carpet, floors, etc.

    Carpet/Flooring: $5.00 — $1,000+
    Carpet replacement/patch, flooring pieces, full flooring replacements

    Disposal/Clean Up: $100.00+
    Abandoned items/furniture, improper disposal of bulky items and/or trash

Preparing Unit for Vacancy

General cleaning tips and details for commonly missed areas that result in deductions can be found in this section!

  • Check all cabinets, shelves, closets, and appliances for personal items (don’t forget the refrigerator and freezer!)

  • Compactor
    Ensure all items placed in the compactor are approved items and fit easily into the compactor. Clogging the compactor can result in fees.

    Recycling
    As with the compactor, make sure all items in recycling bins and cardboard are recyclable items. Things like Styrofoam, some plastics, food-soiled containers, and glass items are not always recyclable and need to go in the compactor.
    Please keep in mind that cardboard should be flattened before being left in the cage.

    Bulky Items
    While the compactor is suited for breaking down many types of bulky items, it can’t break everything down. Some items will need special arrangements to be collected. If you’re unsure whether or not your item needs special pick-up, please reach out or submit the form provided in Move-out Resources.

  • Damage and/or adhesive residue
    Scribbles or similar markings, spillage, sticky residues from food/drinks/mounting adhesives should be removed to the best of your ability.

    Holes
    Please do not fill any nail holes. Holes created by hardware like tacks, nails, and screws are normal and expected.

  • Vinyl
    Sweep entire floor and mop soiled areas.

    Carpet
    Vacuum all carpet (including closets!) and, to the best of your ability, scrub away any stains or pet soiled areas.

    Baseboards
    Areas of the baseboards where furniture has allowed large buildups of hair and dust or they have been otherwise soiled should be wiped down.

  • Ceiling fans and light fixtures
    If there is a large buildup of dust or residue on any fans/fixtures, wipe them down to the best of your ability.

    Cabinetry
    Open all cabinetry to ensure they’re empty of all items. Any areas soiled by food/otherwise should be wiped down.

    Doors
    Wipe down doors briefly with a dry cloth. Any areas where they’re sticky or stained should be wiped down.

  • Bathrooms
    Clean bathtub, toilet, and sinks.

    Laundry
    Empty lint traps (both!) and machines

    Appliances
    If it has been 12 or more months since the fridge or oven have been pulled away from the wall, it’s recommended to pull them out and just wipe them down and sweep behind them.
    Ensure your refrigerator, microwave, and stove have been wiped down and cleaned inside. The oven’s self-cleaning feature is not recommended.