You should expect to do or arrange the following, subject to any terms of your lease or other arrangement you may have with your landlord or property manager.

• Unless you are in breach of your lease agreement, you are entitled to live in the premises during the term of the initial agreement, even if ownership of the property changes hands.
• If you plan to leave at the end of your lease term, look at your lease and be sure to give the required written notice that you are leaving and specify on what date you will be vacated by. If you have lost your copy of the lease document, obtain another copy of it from your landlord. If you just leave without giving notice you could be up for another month of rental and other costs. Make sure the notice is posted to the landlord or property manager or physically given to them in person as you don't want to get into dispute about whether or not notice was served and on what date.
• Make sure you are packed and vacated by time your lease expiry or notice date arrives. This includes allowing time for cleaning of the property. Don't 'expect' flexibility for time after the end date as someone else may be moving in. If your landlord obliges you in this manner be prepared to pay for this time.
• Leave the property clean and tidy. Check your lease to see what 'end of lease' requirements there are eg. Your lease may require you to clean the carpets. You should endeavour to leave the property in the same condition, if not better, than you received it, noting that the less the landlord has to do to prepare the property for new renters - the more likely you will get more of your bond/deposit back. For example, if there was any painting or carpet steam cleaning that may need to be done, check with the landlord first as it may be less money for you to do these 'make good' actions yourself than for the owner to conduct these and take money out of your deposit.
• Obtain your copy of the original 'Property Conditions Report' you signed when you moved in. You will need to a 'walk through' with the landlord or property manager to review this Report. Subject to the terms of your lease, the landlord or property manager usually has the right to deduct certain expenses for damage. Make sure you sign it there and then together and take your copy. Once this is done it cannot be amended after.
• If you've caused damage to your apartment during the time you've lived there, the damages amount will be deducted from your bond/deposit. If the landlord or management company decides the cost of the damage exceeds the amount of your deposit, it's within his/her/their rights to sue you for the difference. Owning up to the damage and paying for it immediately is the best way to avoid major headaches -- not to mention a "black mark" on your renter's record.
• If you're thinking of subletting, check with the landlord first to see if a sublease is necessary or even legal.
• If you are leaving prior to the end of your lease, you are legally liable as per the terms of the lease.
• If you have an accident or cause damage in the property that could exceed your bond amount, advise your landlord or property manager immediately. Accidents do happen and you are better to act honestly in these circumstances. This will help the landlord with insurance, repairs and your ongoing reference.
• Upon satisfactory leaving arrangements, you are entitled to the return of your bond or security deposit. The landlord or property manager will provide a 'bond release' form for both of you to sign, which can then be submitted to the bond board or trust where it was lodged.
• Hand the keys back - all copies you were given at the commencement if the lease
• Arrange for your forwarding address to be given to the landlord or property manager
• Make sure to arrange for mail forwarding and change of address functions
• If you are leaving the premises, but others are staying, ensure that your name is removed from the landlords or property managers copy of the lease.
• Try to get a written recommendation from your landlord to present to another prospective landlord as proof of your 'good tenancy'.