What you Need to Know Before Vacating your Senior Living Apartment
There may come a time when a move from assisted living, memory care or a senior living apartment is necessary. This may be due to downsizing apartments, a change in care level, or because of a death. These are tips for vacating the facility.
Notice Period
Most senior living communities require a notice period. This varies from place to place. Upon moving into the building, a contract was signed. The contract has a section specific for vacating the unit. The most common notice period is 30 days. Some facilities require the notice to be from the beginning of the month. For example, if I want to move before May 1st my notice would be required on or before April 1st. There are independent senior living apartments that require a 60 day notice and this is why reading your contract is necessary.
What It Costs
Like the specific notice period, the cost for the notice period will vary. When it comes to assisted living, care suites or memory care the rent is higher than senior living. Most communities expect the consumer to pay the full rent on the apartment for the entire notice period. If the community is billing rent and services together as a package, both will likely be charged through the notice period.
Vacating After a Death
When you move to senior living it is like renting an apartment. It may surprise people that when a person residing in a senior living facility passes away, the rent for the apartment continues through the notice period. In this case, the family should contact the executive director within the facility to discuss specific details. Some communities will pro-rate the rent if they are able to re-rent the apartment to another client.
Plan Ahead
It is best practice to keep a copy of the senior living lease or contract somewhere it can easily be accessed. A copy of the contract must be kept by the management and can always be requested. Planning and knowing the process will save time and money in the future.