fb_pixel_code
October 31, 2017

Moving Out Checklist for Tenants: The Essentials

Moving out of a rental property can be stressful. On top of all the packing, cleaning and heavy lifting, there’s the threat of having money deducted from your deposit if you miss anything.

 

To help make the process as smooth as possible, we’ve come up with this handy moving out checklist to work through.

Pay your rent

 

First things first – make sure your rent is paid up to and including the last day of your tenancy.

 

Check your inventory

 

Give your inventory a thorough check and make sure all the items listed are still present and in their original positions. This can include smaller items like pans, cutlery, curtains and cushions as well as furniture.

 

Clean thoroughly

 

Give the whole property a deep clean, including all the bits you might usually overlook. Things like lampshades, the sides of the cooker and the insides of cupboards are easy to miss – but need to be cleaned! It’s a good idea to hire a professional cleaning company for this job. That way you can be sure it will be done thoroughly – and you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself! We can recommend a reputable company – just get in touch.

 

Clean the windows

 

Yep, they need cleaning too. They’re likely to need cleaning inside and out. Again, it’s good idea to get a professional company to do this. Pay particular attention to any mould marks or condensation.

 

Tidy the garden

 

If you have a garden, leave it neat and tidy. Check your rental agreement or inventory to see if your landlord has any specific requirements.

 

Remove your belongings

 

Make sure you’ve removed all of your belongings from the property. Don’t forget to remove any food from the fridge, freezer and cupboards.

 

Clear any rubbish

 

Don’t leave your rubbish in the dustbin or outside the property – take any remaining rubbish to the local refuse dump or recycling centre.

 

Light bulbs

 

If any of the light bulbs aren’t working, replace them with new ones.

 

Redirect your post

 

Make sure you get your post redirected to your new address.

 

Utilities

 

Get in touch with your utility companies and let them know you’re moving out. On the last day of your tenancy, take final meter readings (where necessary) and pass them on to the suppliers so they can close your account. Give them your new address so they can forward your final bill. Utilities usually include electricity, gas, water, telephone, broadband and TV licence.

 

Council tax

 

Contact your local authority and let them know when you’re moving out and where you’ll be moving to, so they have a forwarding address.

 

Return your keys

 

On the day you move out, return all the keys you have. If you don’t, you may be charged for having the locks changed.

 

Moving out checklist – have you done everything?

 

If you’ve worked your way through our moving out checklist and ticked everything off, you should be all set for a stress-free handover.

 

Remember, if there’s any work to be done – even changing a lightbulb – the cost of the contractor as well as the work is likely to be deducted from your deposit.

 

We hope you’ve found our moving out checklist helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re always happy to help!

 

How much is your home worth?

Let's crunch the numbers