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Moving from a rental comes with specific challenges compared to moving out of a home you are selling. Not only do you need to make your rental home clean and presentable for your landlord, but you need to wrap up loose ends with your lease. Often, the condition in which you leave your rental home will impact your deposits, so having a smooth and seamless move is essential. Below are some easy tips for moving out of your rental home to ensure a seamless, easy, and stress-free residential move.
1. Provide Proper Notice
Before moving, you’ll need to provide proper notice to your landlord. Every lease is different, so read carefully to understand the appropriate timeline and notification method for terminating your lease. While some rentals allow renters to lease month to month, others require a year commitment, with written notice to break the lease. Sometimes, a certified letter may be necessary to ensure safe delivery of your intent to leave.
2. Clean
The most important aspect of moving out of your rental home is leaving the home clean and damage-free. Ideally, your landlord should be able to come in after you and, with just a few touches, rent the apartment or home to a new tenant. A good cleaning checklist will help you stick to a timeline and stay organized. As a general rule, you’ll want to:
- Dust hard surfaces, vacuum carpeting, dust and mop hard floors
- Remove every personal item or belongings in the home. Landlords often charge a hefty fee to remove and dispose of personal items left behind.
- Remove nails from hanging pictures and decorations and patch any holes. Be sure your wall paint is the same color as when you moved in.
- Wipe down appliances, including the range, oven, refrigerator, and microwave.
- Dust and wipe baseboards, door handles, windows, and ceiling fans.
There are ample cleaning checklists available online that go into detail for each room to ensure you perform a deep clean on your rental before moving out. Check with your landlord and lease agreement, as there might be a predetermined cleaning list to get your deposit back.
3. Reach Out to Utilities
Once you have a date for moving out of your rental, you’ll want to notify your utility companies. Call your gas, electric, cable, water, and sewage provider (if appropriate) and tell them the day your service will end. Usually, your service will simply switch back to your landlord’s name, so service is not interrupted. Pay any remaining balances now and ensure the utility companies have your address to mail your returned deposit check.
4. Photos
After moving all your belongings and thoroughly cleaning your rental, take detailed pictures of every room. You want to have a record of exactly how you left your rental home or apartment just in case your landlord wants to dispute the final condition.
5. Key Drop Off and Deposits
Arrange a day and time to drop off your apartment keys with your landlord. Be sure to bring any other keys, like a mailbox key or garage door opener. At this time, you’ll also want to discuss your security deposit or remaining rent. Verify your forwarding address with your landlord and your telephone number so the landlord can contact you regarding deposit checks.
Moving Simplified
Moving day is both exciting and stressful. With professional movers at your side, you can relax and enjoy the moving adventure. Professional movers are happy to provide a seamless experience, saving you time and energy. For a quote on your next move, contact us today. We are pleased to help with large and small moves to get you set up in your new home.
