Steps for a Successful Move Out Process | Fort Lauderdale Property Management

Florida PMServices • June 4, 2021

When you have a good tenant in place, you always hope they’ll decide to renew their lease agreement and stay in your property for another year or longer. However, tenants move on, and when they give their notice and prepare to move on, you need to make some preparations, too.

This is a critical time for Fort Lauderdale rental property owners because you’ll need to think about inspecting your property, returning the tenant’s security deposit, and preparing your rental property for new tenants.

Having a consistent procedure in place will keep you organized and ensure you treat each tenant fairly and in accordance with your lease agreement.

Remind Your Tenants of the Move-Out Requirements

When your tenants provide a notice to vacate, make sure you note their move-out date, and send them a notice that lists all the things they’ll need to do as the lease ends. This should include cleaning the property, removing all personal belongings, turning in keys, and leaving a forwarding address. This information can likely be found in the lease agreement, but it’s always helpful to remind them when the time comes.

Complete a Move-out Inspection and Report

Once your tenants have turned in the keys and completely moved out of the property, you’ll want to conduct a thorough move-out inspection. You are looking for any property damage that goes beyond general wear and tear. You’ll also want to make a list of the repairs that will be necessary before you begin looking for a new tenant.

Owners cannot charge for things like scuff marks on the wall from where a piece of furniture was or small nail holes in the walls from where pictures or clocks were hung. You can, however, charge for damage that’s accidental or due to abuse, neglect, or misuse. Document everything with pictures, videos, and notes during the inspection. Compare it to the notes and inspection report from the move-in process.

Security Deposit Accounting

The most complicated part of the move-out process for most owners is the return of the security deposit. Florida law requires you to return your tenant’s security deposit within 15 days of move-out if there are no reasons to deduct money from that deposit.

If you do need to deduct because of tenant damage, cleaning costs, or past due rent and utilities, you’ll have to return the remaining deposit and a detailed accounting within 30 days. Remember that you cannot deduct from the security deposit for normal wear and tear items. Things like small nail holes from where pictures were hung and scuff marks on the carpet from furniture are the responsibility of the landlord.

Turning Your Fort Lauderdale Rental Property

With your current tenants out of the property, you want to get your Fort Lauderdale investment home re-rented as soon as possible. This will save you money on long vacancy periods and ensure you aren’t losing a lot of cash flow.

Try to make your turnover process as efficient and cost-effective as possible. If you’re working with a property management company, you will likely get this done in a few days. Turn on the utilities so you can provide safe working conditions for your vendors and because you’ll want to turn on the lights and water when you show the home to new tenants.

If the move-out process is a source of concern or stress for you, contact us at Florida Property Management Services. We have a process in place that will save you time and money.

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May Newsletter

By Florida PMServices • May 12, 2026

Welcome to the May edition of the Investor Newsletter! This month, the rental market is proving that strong returns are no longer just about rent growth. With operating costs taking center stage, investors are sharpening their focus on what really drives long-term returns. Inside, we cover these rising operating costs, take a quick look at ADUs, and round up the latest headlines shaping the market right now. The Quiet Profit Squeeze: Why Operating Costs Now Matter More Than Rent Growth Something is quietly changing inside single-family rental performance, and it is not something you will find in rent growth headlines! Even in markets where rents are holding steady or slowly growing, many portfolios are seeing a different pattern emerge; Net operating income is tightening, and the pressure is coming less from revenue and more from rising operating costs. Insurance has become one of the most unpredictable expenses for property owners. According to a recent article , premiums across commercial real estate are projected to rise another 8-15% annually in 2026. This is predicted to be driven by severe weather, higher rebuilding costs, and tighter underwriting standards. Bloomberg also recently noted that U.S. home insurance costs continue to rise as insurers adjust to growing climate and replacement cost pressures. For SFR investors, insurance is no longer a predictable line item. It is a cost that can impact cash flow from one renewal to the next. Maintenance and repairs are adding pressure as well. What many owners once viewed as routine upkeep has become a form of invisible inflation. According to a recent report , repair and maintenance costs have risen nearly 14% year over year and roughly 50% since 2020 in many locations. Deferred maintenance is also becoming more expensive to delay, often turning into much larger expenses down the road. Property taxes are another growing concern. Unlike insurance, tax increases tend to move more gradually through reassessments and municipal adjustments, making them easier to underestimate during underwriting. A Business Insider article highlights how taxes, insurance, and fees are becoming a larger share of “hidden costs” for property owners. Another article reported that property taxes and insurance now account for more than 21% of monthly housing costs in many markets. The takeaway for investors is that operational execution matters just as much as acquisition strategy. Strong returns depend on how well expenses are managed through proactive insurance reviews, preventative maintenance, tax monitoring, and disciplined renewal management. With rent growth normalizing in many areas, protecting NOI, rather than focusing only on revenue growth, may be becoming an even more important part of long term rental performance. Did You Know: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Everything You Need to Know in 60 Seconds! You might have heard them called "granny flats," "carriage houses," or "casitas," but in the real estate world, they are known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). As housing demand continues to rise nationwide, and many investors are looking for creative ways to maximize returns on existing properties, ADUs are a flexible option that can increase rental income, property value, and long-term investment potential. What is an ADU? An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, secondary living space built on the same property as a primary home. To be a legal ADU, it must have its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. They can be detached, attached or repurposed from a home. Who uses an ADU? Homeowners and real estate investors often use ADUs to maximize their land and profits. It can provide a secondary housing option for additional tenants, multi-generational families, or short-term guests. For single-family rental investors, ADUs can turn one property into more income. Where are ADUs located? ADUs are appearing in neighborhoods across the country. As housing demand and affordability challenges continue to grow, more local governments are updating zoning rules to allow investors and homeowners to add these secondary living spaces to existing properties. When should an investor consider an ADU? ADUs may make most sense when a property has excess space, rental demand is strong, and local zoning allows secondary units. Many investors use this when they want to increase cash flow without purchasing another property. Why Are ADUs Important? ADUs are becoming a major trend in residential real estate. They can potentially: Increase rental income Help with housing shortages Offer flexible living arrangements Boost overall property value SFR Trending Headlines Stay Up to Date on the Hottest SFR News & Stories Wave of Price Cuts Arrives Before the Summer Heats Up Selena Gomez Eyes $1.6M Profit on Former Tom Petty Home Zillow and Redfin Brace for Major Legal Fight Are Tenants Saving by Not Owning ? Zuckerberg’s $170M Deal Breaks Miami Record Rate Update: We've Partnered with LendingOne to Bring You The Best DSCR Rates & Terms! DSCR Loan Advantages: Rates Often Lower Than Banks No Personal Income Requirement No Tax Returns Needed Not Reported on Credit Faster Closing Times Specialized Loans for Investors Only! Click for Financing Options! Until Next Month! The Florida Property Management Services Team