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Tasks to Complete Before Moving Out of Your Rental

You must complete specific tasks when ready to move out of your rental. To make the transition to your new apartment, condo, or home easier, tick the following to-do items off your list.

Give Your Landlord Ample Notice

Re-read your lease in detail once you decide to move, so you thoroughly understand the terms for notification of a move. Generally, this timeframe ranges from 30-90 days, but check your documents or ask a legal professional just to be sure.

Then, before you move out of your rental, provide your landlord or property manager with sufficient notice. If you don’t provide notice according to the terms, you might owe extra rent, lose your security deposit, or face other financial penalties.

Transfer Your Renter’s Insurance

Let your insurance company know you’re moving. This way, you ensure you don’t experience an interruption in coverage. Provide your carrier with your new address and ask if you need to adjust your policy. If you don’t have renter’s insurance, check with your new landlord to see if it’s required.

Contact Utility Providers

In the weeks leading up to your move, contact all utility providers to schedule shut off/turn on/transfer service dates. You may have different providers in your new home. You must contact local providers and set up your new accounts if needed.  Before you move, settle any old charges and schedule companies to turn off services, so you aren’t paying for the next tenant’s utilities.

Submit Change Of Address Notices

Putting in a change of address notice is a task you don’t inadvertently want to miss. Contact the following to let the appropriate people know your new address.

  • Employers

  • Family and friends

  • Banks, credit unions, and financial institutions (Venmo, PayPal, etc.)

  • Credit card companies

  • Monthly subscriptions or recurring deliveries (meal services, Amazon, etc.)

  • Magazines and newspapers

For everyone else, submit a change of address notice with the USPS. They’ll forward your mail to your new home for up to one year. Then, over time, you can update the changes you missed earlier.

Clear Your Soon-to-Be Former Home

To regain your security deposit, thoroughly clean your rental and make minor repairs. For example, fix blemishes, sweep floors, paint walls to remove scuff, shampoo carpets, scrub kitchens (remember the oven and fridge!), and clean bathrooms. Some people opt to hire professional cleaners to save time and have a thorough cleaning done. (You can submit the receipt to your landlord as proof.)

Once you clean, check all nooks and crannies to ensure you don’t forget anything, including closets, cabinets, and drawers. If you have an attic, crawl space, or basement, check these spaces too.

Moving Made Easy!

After you’ve completed the above, review your rental property’s move-out checklist to ensure you didn’t miss anything—lastly, schedule dates for a final walk-through with the property manager and return keys.

Are you ready to plan your move? As you prepare to leave your new home, it’s time to plan to start the next chapter of your life. Professional movers can help you! Learn how you can reduce stress by using our services. Contact us today for a free quote.