Charleston Townes
So Long, Farewell
Thank you choosing CT to enjoy the off campus life! We wish you only the best of luck in your future endeavors, and invite you to request a rental reference from us shall that requirement ever arise in your future housing needs. Keep in mind that Matchbox Realty also offers an assortment of non-student housing options if you plan to stick around the ‘Burg post-graduation!
Moving out can be stressful. We’re here to help! WE WANT YOU TO RECEIVE A FULL SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND. Please take advantage of all the resources provided below so that we can (hopefully) mail you a check, not a bill.
Move Out Checklist
Let US help YOU! These helpful checklists were written by CT staff with the help of Matchbox Realty, who has provided students with off campus living options since 2011. These checklists continue to grow each year with the intention to help each of our residents receive as much of a refund possible.
What to Return
Keys
Unreturned keys are $25 each & unreturned fobs are $75 each – yikes! Simply fill out a key return envelope at the home office so that we have your bedroom key, mail key and key fob, as well as your forwarding address for the Security Deposit Release Form. Be sure to print legibly, and fill the envelope out in its’ entirety. *If you MUST mail your key(s), please use a padded envelope and send via CERTIFIED mail so you (and us!) can confirm receipt within 10 days of your lease end date. Keys sent in a regular envelope usually rip and are lost in transit. You are liable if you key(s) do not make it to our office. Send to: Matchbox Realty 202 N. Liberty Street Suite 101; Harrisonburg, VA 22801, and don’t forget to include a forwarding address for your Security Deposit Release Form.
Parking Decals & Guest Passes
Please remove your Parking Decals/Guest Passes and return them with your keys at move-out. Put them inside the key envelope so we have record of them being returned. Unreturned parking passes will incur a fee.
What to Do
Take Everything You Brought
Personal belongings, trash, unwanted furniture, etc. left in your apartment will need to removed. At what cost, you ask? Maintenance charges $42/hour/man. This does not include the possibility of landfill dump fees. Our advice – donate!
- If you would like to pack up your gently used and clean items, we are happy to arrange for your items to be donated.
- Chemicals, household, kitchenware, linens, clothing, lighting, small appliances, etc are all items that we readily accept.
- Furniture that is updated without stains or tears will also be considered.
- In-date, non-perishable food can also be boxed up and left on your kitchen counter. We will happily donate to those in need.
We support Open Doors and Our Community Place in our donation endeavors. If you have a question about what can or cannot be donated, please contact Mary Messerley, President of Residential Services, at Mary@MatchboxRealty.com.
Clean
The maids are contracted at a certain rate to clean your apartment. Any amount over and above that rate will come back to you as a deduction from your security deposit. Pay close attention to baseboards, soap scum in bathrooms, oven interior, etc. – any task that the maids would spend an excessive amount of time to clean.
Paint (ONLY If You Can Do It Correctly)
If you chose to paint your walls, and then repaint them, we’ll need to send professional painters to fix your handiwork if not painted well and to our standards. The paint colors for Charleston Townes are registered at the local Benjamin Moore Shenandoah Paint & Decorating Center. Additionally, there are different colors for trim, walls, etc. Be sure to let the Benjamin Moore associate know which room you’re painting. As a rule of thumb: keep in mind that paints ages. If you do paint, be sure to paint entire walls at a time instead of touch-up in small areas (you’ll be able to tell where the “touchup” was done otherwise). *We understand that minor scuffing is inevitable in high-trafficked areas of your apartment (such as under the kitchen bar, entryway, etc.) since CT uses a flat-based paint. However, adhesives/decal wall damage, drywall damage, LED light strip damage, large screw holes (from a flat-mounted TV, surfboard hung, etc.) and any damage to the ceiling are a few examples of what is considered over/above reasonable wear/tear.
What to Know
Your lease ends at 12pm on your lease-end date.
By law, your Property Manager must complete your move-out inspection no later than 72 hours from this time. With that being noted, we are prompt with move-out inspections. If we find you do not move-out on time, the lease states that you and your roommates will be charged 150% of the per diem rent plus other penalties per the Lease.
You cannot put your refundable security deposit toward your last months’ rent.
Your security deposit is held in escrow for the duration of your lease term until we assess damages (if any) after your lease end date.
The utilities must be ON & in your name(s) for the duration of your lease.
If you shut-off your water or electric service prior to your lease end date, the lease states that you and your roommates will receive a $50 fine. If all 4 roommates will be gone for the entire summer and you want to save a few bucks, you can certainly shut off the breaker for items that will be completely out of use when you’re gone! We do NOT suggest turning off the power to your refrigerator or your safety devices (smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors).
You must leave on A/C (5, 7), Water Heater (9, 11), Furnace (6, 8), Network Panel (14), Lighting (16); Bedroom 1/Smoke Detector (18).
You may shutoff the remaining switches, which are: Dryer (1, 3), Washing Machine (13), Garbage Disposal (15), Microwave (17), Dining/Kitchen (19), Refrigerator, if empty (21), Bathroom (23), Range (2, 4), Living Room (10), Dishwasher (12), Bedroom 2 (20), Bedroom 3 (22) & Bedroom 4 (24).
The numbers may be slightly different in your apartment. Please keep in mind that both Harrisonburg Water & Sewer and Harrisonburg Electric Commission charge a monthly minimum, but this should help with the cost no less!
The Security Deposit Release Forms are mailed to the forwarding email address you provide with your key return.
When providing an email address, please provide an email other than your school email address. If necessary, we may send you an email that allows us an additional 15 days to process your SDRF. If, upon receipt of the SDRF, you disagree with any charges: Disputes must be made in writing to SecurityDeposit@MatchboxRealty.com no later than 20 days of receipt of the Security Deposit Release Form.
Furniture replaced on your Security Deposit Release Form cannot be picked up.
Unfortunately there is not an opportunity for previous residents to pick-up damaged furniture that was found to need replacement during the move-out inspection. These pieces are taken by maintenance during the 2 week turnover period. The damage to the items may not have been apparent during furniture inspections in April, or we would have sent you all an email telling you that you may take pieces XYZ with you since they will be replaced at move-out. Turnover season (summer) is our busiest time of the year. Please understand when we say that it is logistically impossible to notify every single resident when a furniture piece needs replacement (especially since often times residents do not take the damaged pieces with them despite our offer). Additionally, we have no place to store the furniture until the previous tenant is able to come pick the pieces up. Under the Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act, we must notify past tenants when they have left personal property, and give them the opportunity to pick-up their personal property within 24 hours from their lease expiration.
