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Notice to Vacate

Upon receiving a notice to vacate, act immediately to prepare for turnover while keeping communication professional and courteous. This preserves good tenant relations and accelerates re-leasing.

Immediate actions​

  • Confirm receipt promptly, within 24 hours.
  • Verify the move-out date and ensure it complies with lease terms (e.g., 30 days).
  • Market the unit right away — list on Zillow and MLS as soon as the notice is received.

Offer a pre-move-out inspection​

California (Wonoak) — required

A pre-move-out inspection is required in California (Civil Code §1950.5(f)). Include the offer in your acknowledgment. If the tenant accepts: schedule a handyman to attend, photograph any items needing repair in Company Cam, and incorporate the Company Cam report into the AppFolio inspection report.

Process in AppFolio​

  • Find the tenant in AppFolio and start Move Out Tenants.
  • Make sure to Request Bank Info (for the deposit refund).

Sample acknowledgment email​

Customize the brackets, and send through AppFolio for proper record keeping.

Subject: Confirmation of Your Notice to Vacate – [Property Address / Unit #] – Thank You!

Dear [Tenant's Full Name],

Thank you for your written notice to vacate the property at [Full Property Address, Unit #]. We
appreciate you providing this in advance and for being a valued tenant during your time with us.

We confirm receipt of your notice, and we accept your intent to terminate the tenancy effective
[Move-Out Date – e.g., March 31, 2026] (your last day in the unit).

Next Steps to Ensure a Smooth Move-Out:

1. Pre-Move-Out Inspection (Required in California)
   California law allows tenants to request a pre-move-out inspection to identify any potential
   deductions from your security deposit before you vacate. Would you like to schedule this? Please
   reply with your availability over the next week, and we'll coordinate with our handyman.

2. Marketing & Showings
   We'll list immediately. To minimize vacancy, we may schedule showings while you're still in
   residence (with proper 24-hour notice). Please reply with times that work best — ideally weekday
   evenings after 6 PM and/or weekend afternoons (1–4 PM).

3. Final Move-Out Inspection
   We will conduct the final inspection on or shortly after your move-out date to document the
   condition of the unit.

4. Keys & Utilities
   Please return all keys, garage openers, and remotes at the final inspection. We'll coordinate the
   transfer of utilities back to ownership.

Thank you again for your tenancy — we wish you all the best in your next home!

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title, e.g., Property Manager]