Move-out notice and documentation | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a housing office discussion, a tenant asks how to give proper move-out notice and document the apartment condition before leaving..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Move-out notice and documentation to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Puede que me mude, pero quiero dar el aviso correctamente.

PWEH-deh keh meh MOO-deh, PEH-roh KYEH-roh DAHR ehl ah-BEE-soh koh-rrehk-tah-MEN-teh. I may move out, but I want to handle notice correctly.
B

El contrato explica los requisitos del aviso, pero puedo resumirlos.

Ehl kohn-TRAH-toh ehk-SPLEE-kah lohs reh-kee-SEE-tohs dehl ah-BEE-soh, PEH-roh PWEH-doh reh-soo-MEER-lohs. The lease explains notice requirements, but I can summarize them.
A

Por favor, hazlo, porque el lenguaje jurídico puede ser difícil de interpretar.

Pohr fah-VOHR, AH-sloh, POHR-keh ehl lehn-GWAH-heh hoo-REE-dee-koh PWEH-deh sehr dee-FEE-seel deh een-tehr-preh-TAHR. Please do, because legal wording can be difficult to interpret.
B

Necesitas dar un aviso por escrito y devolver la vivienda limpia.

Neh-seh-SEE-tahs DAHR oon ah-BEE-soh pohr ehk-SKREE-toh ee deh-bol-VEHR lah bee-BYEHN-dah LEEM-pyah. You need written notice, and the property must be returned clean.
A

También quiero evitar disputas por el desgaste normal.

Tahm-BYEHN KYEH-roh eh-bee-TAHR dees-POO-tahs pohr ehl dehs-GAHS-teh nohr-MAHL. I also want to avoid disputes over normal wear.
B

Podemos programar una inspección para documentar el estado de la vivienda.

Poh-DEH-mohs proh-grah-MAHR OO-nah eens-pehk-SYOHN PAH-rah doh-koo-men-TAHR ehl ehs-TAH-doh deh lah bee-BYEHN-dah. We can schedule an inspection to document the condition.
A

Eso haría que el proceso fuera menos estresante.

EH-soh ah-REE-ah keh ehl proh-SEH-soh FWEH-rah MEH-nohs ehs-treh-SAHN-teh. That would make the process less stressful.
B

Unos registros claros suelen evitar malentendidos durante la mudanza.

OO-nohs reh-KHEES-trohs KLAH-rohs SWEH-lehn eh-bee-TAHR mah-lehn-tehn-DEE-dohs doo-RAHN-teh lah moo-DAHN-sah. Clear records usually prevent misunderstandings during move-out.

Word by Word

Puede In “Puede que me mude,” “Puede” expresses possibility: the speaker may move out. The pattern “Puede que” introduces a possible situation, such as “Puede que llueva.”
que In “Puede que me mude,” “que” introduces the clause describing what may happen. It commonly follows expressions such as “Puede que” when presenting a possibility.
me In “me mude,” “me” shows that the speaker is carrying out the moving action personally. It is used with “mude” in the expression “me mude,” referring to the speaker’s possible move out.
mude In “Puede que me mude,” “mude” refers to moving out of the home. It is used after “Puede que” to describe a possible action by the speaker; a reusable pattern is “Puede que me mude pronto.”
pero “Pero” connects the possible move with a contrasting intention: the speaker may move out, but still wants to give notice correctly. Use it to join two ideas that do not fully agree.
quiero In “quiero dar el aviso,” “quiero” means “I want” and expresses the speaker’s intention. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in “quiero dar...” or “quiero evitar...”.
dar In “dar el aviso,” “dar” means to give or submit the notice. The infinitive follows “quiero” and is also used in practical expressions such as “dar una respuesta.”
el In “el aviso,” “el” means “the” and identifies a specific notice. It is used before the singular noun “aviso” in this housing-office context.
aviso In “dar el aviso,” “aviso” means the notice that the tenant gives before moving out. A useful housing pattern is “dar el aviso por escrito.”
correctamente “Correctamente” means correctly and describes how the speaker wants to give “el aviso.” It is an adverb that can describe carrying out an action properly, as in “completar el formulario correctamente.”
contrato In “El contrato explica...,” “contrato” refers to the lease governing the housing arrangement. It can be used for a contract or agreement that sets out conditions and requirements.
explica In “El contrato explica los requisitos,” “explica” says that the lease sets out or makes the requirements clear. The pattern “X explica Y” is useful when a document gives information about a subject.
los In “los requisitos,” “los” means “the” and introduces the specific requirements mentioned in the lease. Here it is an article before the plural noun “requisitos,” not a separate pronoun meaning “them.”
requisitos “Requisitos” means the requirements that must be followed for the move-out notice. It is useful for rules or conditions, as in “los requisitos del contrato.”
del In “los requisitos del aviso,” “del” means “of the” and connects the requirements with the notice. It is the fixed contraction used in this phrase to express what the requirements concern.
puedo In “puedo resumirlos,” “puedo” means “I can” and expresses the speaker’s ability to summarize the requirements. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in “puedo explicar...” or “puedo ayudar...”.
resumirlos In “puedo resumirlos,” “resumirlos” means to summarize them, referring to “los requisitos.” The form combines the action of summarizing with the attached “los”; a reusable pattern is “puedo resumirlos en pocas palabras.”
Por favor “Por favor” is the complete polite expression meaning “please” in “Por favor, hazlo.” “Por” contributes to the fixed expression, while “favor” refers to a favor or polite request; use it before or after a request.
hazlo In “Por favor, hazlo,” “hazlo” means “do it” and refers to summarizing the requirements. It combines the request to do something with “lo,” which points back to that action; a reusable pattern is “Hazlo ahora.”
porque “Porque” introduces the reason for the request: the legal wording may be difficult to interpret. Use it to connect a statement with its cause, as in “Lo pregunto porque necesito ayuda.”
lenguaje In “lenguaje jurídico,” “lenguaje” means language or wording, specifically the wording used in legal documents. The pattern “lenguaje + adjective” can describe a specialized style of communication.
jurídico In “lenguaje jurídico,” “jurídico” means legal and specifies the type of wording being discussed. It is useful for describing language, documents, or matters connected with law.
ser In “puede ser difícil de interpretar,” “ser” means “to be” and links the legal wording with the description “difícil.” The infinitive commonly follows expressions such as “puede” when describing a possible quality or state.
difícil In “puede ser difícil de interpretar,” “difícil” means difficult and describes the legal wording as hard to understand. A useful pattern is “ser difícil de + infinitive,” as in “ser difícil de explicar.”
de In “difícil de interpretar,” “de” links the description “difícil” with the action “interpretar.” This pattern identifies the action that is difficult, as in “fácil de usar” or “difícil de encontrar.”
interpretar In “difícil de interpretar,” “interpretar” means to interpret or understand the legal wording. It is used as an infinitive after “de” to name the action that presents the difficulty.
Necesitas In “Necesitas dar un aviso,” “Necesitas” means “you need” and introduces a required action. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in “Necesitas presentar...” or “Necesitas devolver...”.
un In “un aviso por escrito,” “un” means “a” and introduces one notice without identifying it as a previously specified document. It is used before the singular noun “aviso.”
por escrito “Por escrito” means “in writing” in “dar un aviso por escrito.” “Por” marks the manner or medium, and “escrito” specifies written form; use the whole expression for notices, requests, or agreements made in written form.
y “Y” joins the two required actions in “dar un aviso por escrito y devolver la vivienda limpia.” It is used to connect related words, phrases, or actions.
devolver In “devolver la vivienda,” “devolver” means to return the property to the housing office or owner. The infinitive follows “Necesitas” and can be reused with an object, as in “devolver las llaves.”
la In “la vivienda,” “la” means “the” and introduces the specific property being returned. It is the article used before the singular noun “vivienda” in this sentence.
vivienda In “devolver la vivienda,” “vivienda” means the home or property that the tenant occupies. It is useful in formal housing contexts, especially with actions such as “alquilar,” “ocupar,” or “devolver.”
limpia In “devolver la vivienda limpia,” “limpia” means clean and describes the condition in which the property must be returned. It describes “la vivienda” and can be used after an action to state the resulting condition.
También “También” means “also” and adds another goal: avoiding disputes over normal wear. It commonly appears before the verb or at the beginning of a sentence to add related information.
evitar In “evitar disputas,” “evitar” means to avoid or prevent something unwanted. It is followed here by the object “disputas”; a reusable pattern is “evitar problemas.”
disputas In “evitar disputas,” “disputas” means disagreements or disputes about the property’s condition. It is useful for conflicts over responsibilities, charges, or other contested matters.
por In “disputas por el desgaste normal,” “por” identifies the subject or cause of the disputes: normal wear. The pattern “disputas por + noun” can name what people are arguing about.
desgaste In “el desgaste normal,” “desgaste” means wear caused by ordinary use of the property over time. It is useful when discussing the condition of an object, surface, or home after regular use.
normal In “el desgaste normal,” “normal” describes wear that is ordinary rather than unusual. It is used directly before the housing-related issue “desgaste” to specify its type.
Podemos In “Podemos programar una inspección,” “Podemos” means “we can” and offers the possibility of arranging an inspection. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in “Podemos revisar...” or “Podemos programar...”.
programar In “programar una inspección,” “programar” means to schedule or arrange a time for the inspection. It is commonly used with appointments, inspections, meetings, or other planned events.
una In “una inspección,” “una” means “an” or “a” and introduces one inspection. It is used before the singular noun “inspección” in this offer.
inspección In “programar una inspección,” “inspección” means an inspection of the property’s condition. A useful pattern is “programar una inspección” when arranging a formal check.
para In “para documentar,” “para” introduces the purpose of the inspection: documenting the condition. It commonly appears before an infinitive to express why an action is done.
documentar In “para documentar el estado de la vivienda,” “documentar” means to record the property’s condition in a clear form. It is useful for inspections, records, photographs, or other evidence.
estado In “el estado de la vivienda,” “estado” means the condition or state of the property. The pattern “el estado de + noun” identifies the condition of something.
Eso In “Eso haría que...,” “Eso” refers to the proposed inspection and its documentation. It is used to point back to an action or situation just mentioned.
haría In “Eso haría que el proceso fuera menos estresante,” “haría” means “would make” and presents the inspection as producing a possible result. The pattern “haría que + clause” describes an expected or hypothetical effect.
fuera In “haría que el proceso fuera menos estresante,” “fuera” describes the process as being less stressful under that possible result. It appears after “haría que” to state the resulting condition.
menos In “menos estresante,” “menos” means “less” and reduces the degree of stress associated with the process. The pattern “menos + adjective” compares or lowers the intensity of a quality.
estresante In “menos estresante,” “estresante” means stressful and describes the process. It can be used with degree words such as “más” or “menos” to describe how stressful something is.
Unos In “Unos registros claros,” “Unos” introduces plural records without identifying a particular set. It can be used before a plural noun when referring to some records or a set of records generally.
registros In “Unos registros claros,” “registros” means records documenting relevant information about the move-out. It is useful for written evidence, such as inspection records or payment records.
claros In “registros claros,” “claros” means clear and describes records that are easy to understand or use. It agrees with “registros” and can describe information presented without confusion.
suelen In “suelen evitar malentendidos,” “suelen” means “usually” or “tend to” and describes a customary result of clear records. It is commonly followed by an infinitive to express a usual tendency, as in “suelen ayudar.”
malentendidos In “evitar malentendidos,” “malentendidos” means misunderstandings or incorrect interpretations. It is useful when clear communication or records help prevent confusion between people.
durante In “durante la mudanza,” “durante” means “during” and places the prevention of misunderstandings within the move-out period. It is commonly followed by a noun naming an event or period.
mudanza In “durante la mudanza,” “mudanza” refers to the move or moving-out process. It is useful for discussing the period when someone leaves one home and transfers their belongings to another.

Grammar Points

soler + infinitivo

Suelen documentar el estado.

SWEH-lehn doh-koo-men-TAHR ehl ehs-TAH-doh.

They usually document the condition.

Soler expresses a usual or habitual action and is followed by an infinitive.

condicional: haría + complemento

Haría el proceso más claro.

ah-REE-ah ehl proh-SEH-soh mahs KLAH-roh.

I would make the process clearer.

Haría is the conditional form of hacer, used to describe a hypothetical result or action.

Spanish Vocabulary

aviso noun
ah-BEE-soh notice
contrato noun
kohn-TRAH-toh lease; contract
devolver verb
deh-bol-VEHR to return
evitar verb
eh-bee-TAHR to avoid
jurídico adj
hoo-REE-dee-koh legal
lenguaje noun
lehn-GWAH-heh language; wording
limpio adj
LEEM-pyoh clean limpia
mudarse verb
moo-DAHR-seh to move out me mude

Puede que me mude

por escrito phrase
pohr ehk-SKREE-toh in writing
requisito noun
reh-kee-SEE-toh requirement requisitos
resumir verb
reh-soo-MEER to summarize resumirlos
vivienda noun
bee-BYEHN-dah property; dwelling

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

lease; contract

Show Answercontrato

language; wording

Show Answerlenguaje

legal

Show Answerjurídico

notice

Show Answeraviso