Renting Tips: The Best Way to Prepare for Move-Out

Moving out is not easy, just ask any renter. Whether it’s the final year of college or you’re about to start a fresh job, moving can be hard on the wallet. When you’re packing and unpacking boxes, managing last-minute expenses and arranging for utilities, there’s always something more that needs to get done. That’s why this article will help guide you toward the best way to prepare for move-out so that there won’t be any last-minute surprises.

1. Write a detailed list of the damages

Moving out is one of the most stressful times in the life of a tenant, so it’s easy to forget about certain damages before you leave. That’s why it’s important to keep a detailed list of everything that needs to be fixed before you move out, otherwise you might end up being charged with these repairs when you’re already trying to pay off last month’s rent. For instance, if there is a messy spill in one of your rooms and you don’t tell your landlord about it before moving out, they can deny your security deposit and make you pay for this cleaning job yourself.

2. Use a professional cleaning company

It’s smart to hire a professional cleaning company to complete a post tenancy cleaning service before you move out. It’s not that they’re more expensive than your regular cleaners, it’s because they’ll take care of the smaller details that you might have overlooked when packing up.

3. Get final utility meter readings

If you’re on a month-to-month lease, it’s important to make sure that your utilities are correctly calculated before you move out. Make sure that you submit final meter readings to your utility companies when you move out. Otherwise, you could end up with a larger than expected final bill.

4. Make sure everything is turned off

There are so many things that could turn on while the cleaning crew works in your house. From hot water to television sets and coffee makers, they all use electricity and will make sure your final bill comes as a surprise when it arrives at your door.

5. Get proof of your forwarding address

If you’re moving out on your own, you should have a forwarding address to give to your landlord and potential creditors who need to contact you about outstanding bills or rent payments.

6. Make sure you don’t leave behind anything important

When tenants move out, they’re often distracted, so it’s important to make a quick last check of the house before you leave. It’s easy to forget about certain items, but they could get left behind when the cleaners do their job at the end of the month. A landlord isn’t responsible for these items, but they might charge you a small fee for their disposal if you leave them lying around.

These are just some of the tips for preparing for a move-out, but other articles in our blog provide more helpful advice on how to get rental inspections and prevent utilities from increasing your rent. If you have any other questions about the process of moving out, feel free to get in touch with us via our phone number or our contact form.