Moving out of an apartment can be a bit different than other moves, with additional measures to consider, like meeting your move-out date and getting your security deposit back.
To make this endeavor a bit less stressful, we’ve compiled an apartment move-out checklist with everything you need to think about, from how to pack an apartment to how to move-out of an apartment. We hope these apartment moving tips make your move a breeze!
Moving Out of An Apartment Checklist
When planning to move out of your apartment, you’ll need to mark the following things off your checklist:
- Give your landlord written notice.
- Make arrangements for packing and moving.
- Cancel or switch your utilities.
- Coordinate moving day logistics with your landlord or city.
- Clean the apartment.
- Make necessary repairs to get your security deposit back.
- Gather all your keys, cards, and fobs to return to your landlord.
- Cancel or change your renter’s insurance.
Give your landlord written notice.
In general, landlords and property management companies typically expect at least 30-days notice when you plan to vacate, but you’ll want to check your lease agreement for specifics. Some landlords want 90-days notice, so it’s important to refer to your lease as soon as you begin to consider a move. Make sure to also find out how they prefer to receive notices, and always submit your notice in writing. It’s a good idea to keep a copy for your own reference, as well.
Make arrangements for packing and moving.
You may be wondering where to begin when it comes to packing your apartment. Check out our packing how-to guide before you get started, then make a plan. You’ll need to book movers and a moving truck, gather packing materials, and make a plan for what packing you’ll tackle when in order to get it all done before your move-out date.
Cancel or switch your utilities.
Handling your utilities can be a bit more complicated for apartment moves because some apartments have utilities included. To begin, make a list of all your utilities – water, electricity, gas, Internet, TV, phone, trash collection, or anything else specific to your situation. Then, note which ones are handled by your property manager and which ones you need to switch or cancel. If you’re moving to another apartment, you’ll want to do the same thing for your new place, or if you’re moving to a house, know that you’ll be handling all your utilities yourself.
Then, work down the list of utilities you are responsible for and cancel service for your move-out date. If you’re moving across town, you can have the utility company switch your account over to your new place if you’ll be responsible for it there as well. Then, once you finish calling your current utility companies, you can call any new ones you’ll need at your new place and get those set up for the day you move in.
For long-distance moves, you will likely have to switch utility companies. In this case, rather than switching the account address, you can just cancel all your utilities and then set up new accounts with your new providers
Coordinate moving day logistics with your landlord or city.
A few weeks before your move, begin to think about where your moving truck will park and how you will get your things from your apartment to the truck. If you need help or suggestions, get in touch with your landlord. You may need to book a service elevator, especially if you live in a high-rise building, and in some cities, you may need to reserve a parking spot on the street for your moving truck. To prevent logistical complications, take care of these tasks at least two weeks before your scheduled move-out.
Clean the apartment.
Landlords generally expect tenants to clean their apartment before vacating and turning in their keys. Make a list of everything you’ll need to clean, then start a week or so before your move to avoid being overwhelmed on moving day. If you don’t think you’ll have time to clean your place yourself, you can hire a cleaning company to do it for you.
Make necessary repairs to get your security deposit back.
Regardless of how long you’ve lived in your apartment, there are probably some minor repairs that need to be made in order to get your security deposit back. Take some time to fill in nail holes, paint walls back to their original color, scrub any stains or marks on the walls, and clean stains on carpets. In the event that something needs major repairs, that will likely need to be left to the landlord, but you can take care of small repairs so that you get as much of your security deposit back as possible.
Gather all your keys, cards, and fobs to return to your landlord.
If you’ve given keys to a trusted friend or family member or a service provider such as a dog walker, you’ll need to get them before you move out. Make sure you have any cards or fobs needed to access common areas as well. To get your full security deposit back, make sure you return them.
Cancel or change your renter’s insurance.
Get in touch with your insurance agent before your move to change your renter’s insurance to your new address and cancel insurance for your current address. Make sure that this switch aligns with your move-out and move-in dates so there is no gap in coverage. If you’re buying a home, you can cancel your renter’s insurance when you call to set up your homeowner’s insurance.
What to Do When Moving into an Apartment or Home
Now that you’re prepared to move out of your apartment, here’s what you need to know about moving into your next place.
Check out our new home checklist.
To begin, take a look at our move-in checklist. It details everything you need to know about moving into a new place, from cleaning and updating your new home, to unpacking your home, and meeting your neighbors.
Clean before you unpack.
It’s always a good idea to clean an empty home before you begin unpacking. If the home has sat empty, it may be dusty, plus a thorough clean will ensure all your things are unpacked into a fresh space that is ready for you. If you don’t have time to clean it yourself, consider hiring a cleaning company to take care of it for you.
Take photos of any existing damage or issues.
If you’re moving into a new apartment or rental, this step is especially important before you even move your stuff in. When it comes time to move out, you’ll want to get your security deposit back, and having photos of existing damage will ensure that you aren’t charged for it.
Change your address.
Changing your address is a key part of any move. To avoid missing any important mail, set up mail forwarding with the USPS ahead of your move. You can read more about this process in our move-in checklist.
Install a security system.
Lastly, if you’re no longer a renter and now a proud new homeowner, protect your new home, your belongings, and your family by installing a security system as soon as you move in. A CPI Security system can help keep you safe from intruders, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and much more. With a variety of packages and equipment to choose from, we can put together the perfect system for your new plac
