Convenience is a big factor in RE, so cash for keys is a very common procedure.

I have never done something like this before so I was hoping one of you experienced land lords could guide me on a procedure.

Confirm with your state landlord tenant regulations as to the proper procedure for taking back a unit.Since no response to your question has come from a landlord in your state you can not be sure of the process.

If you choose not to you should expect eviction procedures to be started.

Our procedure is that we encourage everyone to apply, just for the simple fact of what you stated before.

With an attorney they take the legal liability on , when it comes to notices and procedures ..

Our state has been working on a 'portability' procedure so an applicant can apply once and then use the same report with multiple landlords without paying fees every time they go to a new complex. 

They purposely avoid property managers with hopes the private landlords are sloppy in their process and procedures.  

The procedure here is to send a notice of inspection and then enter the property. 

I would say make sure you know the procedure for filing eviction so you don't waste any time if you run into problems.