Apartment Move-Out Checklist
March 7, 2019
The moving process can be totally hectic and it’s very easy to forget some of the important things you’ll need to get done. Whether you’re moving down the hallway or moving across the country, we’ve compiled a helpful checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything important when you’re moving out of your apartment!
Notify Utility Companies
You don’t want to have to be stuck with the bill after a new tenant moves into your apartment, so you’ll have to make sure to let all of your utility companies know you’ll be moving. Many of these companies make it easy for you to transfer over your account to your new address on the date that you move. Don’t forget to contact both your gas and electric utility companies, and possibly water depending on your location. It’s important to remember that these companies are likely not open on the weekends, so make sure you schedule the date for a weekday. Always remember that you are responsible for utilities through the last date of your lease.
Schedule Your Internet and Cable Hardware to be Collected
Many people forget their internet routers or cable hardware in their apartment, and then receive charges from their internet/cable company later on for not turning these items back in. Don’t let this happen to you! Make sure to get this scheduled ahead of time so you are either able to mail your hardware back in or meet with the tech for them to pick it up before moving out. It is not your property manager’s duty to return these items for you.
Put in an Address Forward
Make sure you put in an address forward with USPS with plenty of time to spare to make sure no mail is getting delivered to your address after you move. This can sometimes take a little bit of time to get caught up with the post office, and it’s better to have things going to your new address early, rather than not receiving them at all.
Schedule a Moving Truck
Depending on when you’re moving, moving companies can book up a few weeks out. You’ll want to make sure to get this scheduled right away so you don’t end up having to move everything yourself!
Stay Organized
In the packing and moving process, make sure you’re staying organized and labeling all of your boxes with what’s what. This will save a lot of time later once it’s time to unpack in the new place!
Fix it Before You Leave
Have you been putting off replacing those burnt out lightbulbs because they never really bothered you? Or has your dryer not really been working as well as it should for the past few weeks, but you haven’t gotten around to notifying your landlord? Make sure to take care of these things before you leave to avoid surprise charges and last minute scrambles.
Clean
Most importantly, if you want to make sure you get as much of your security deposit back as possible, make sure you clean! You want to leave your apartment in just as good of condition as it was when you moved in. Most landlords will provide you with a recommended cleaning list upon request, so you can make sure you don’t miss anything.
Turn in Your Keys and Garage Door Opener
Before leaving the property, make sure to drop off your keys and garage door opener to the office. You don’t want to be 500 miles away and realize you took your old keys along for the ride.
Give Your Landlord Your New Address
You’ll want to make sure to give your landlord your forwarding address to make sure they can send your security deposit back to you. We recommend either turning this in with your keys, or shooting your landlord a quick email.
Have any other big things you recommend taking care of during the moving process? We’d love to hear about them!
