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4 Things you have to do Before Moving Out of a Rented Property

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#rentalproperty
Published
01/10/2022

Even the thought of moving out of a rented property can cause some folks a lot of stress. If you think moving out of your rented home is a straightforward process, think again, especially if you are worried about losing your security deposit. 

During these unprecedented times, it seems like landlords are more reluctant than ever before to hand their old tenants their deposits back. To move into a new rental, or if you are investing in a new home, getting your full deposit back might be of vital importance. The money could be used to pay for a new deposit, or it can go towards your mortgage. But don’t expect your landlord to give it back without inspecting your old rental thoroughly.

 

1. Clean the entire property

If the property wasn’t cleaned from top to bottom when you moved in, doesn’t mean you should leave it in a bad state when you are moving out. Keep in mind that most landlords will want new tenants to move in as soon as possible so they don’t lose out on rent, so it is up to you to clean it properly.

Before the landlord comes to inspect it, you should give the place one last deep clean. If you don’t have the time or the energy to clean it properly, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning service to take on the task. Companies like this end of lease cleaning London will be well aware of what the rental property should look like, and they will have the experience and all the equipment needed to make the rental look great. 

If you are not in the position to pay professional cleaners, consider asking someone to give you a helping hand. Write down an end of tenancy cleaning checklist, and make sure all the jobs are done before the landlord shows up for the final inspection. 

 

2. Before handing back the keys, check to see you have everything

If you forget any valuables in the property when you move out, don’t expect the landlord or the new tenants to hold onto them for you. You are responsible for any items you leave behind, so do one last check to see you have everything before leaving the rental for the last time.

If you purchased furniture that you no longer need, ask your landlord if they want to keep it. Don’t just leave it in the rental without informing the landlord. If they don’t want the furniture, they might have to spend money on disposing of it, which will probably come out of your security deposit. 

When you moved in, your landlord would have given you a set of keys. If you have lost some of the original keys, make sure you get them cut before meeting your landlord. If they notice a few keys missing, the landlord might change the locks which again will cost them money, so you can expect the cost of the locks to come out of your security deposit. 

 

3. Give your Landlord Notice

All tenants must give in their notice before moving out. The number of days will vary depending on the state you live in and the lease agreement you signed upon moving in. Before handing in your notice, read the lease agreement thoroughly. 

Some landlords have multiple tenants and several properties, so you should write down your notice and hand it to them instead of making a verbal agreement. Make a copy of the notice and keep one for yourself. By doing so you will have proof that you handed in your notice. 

If you fail to hand in your notice on time, the landlord might charge you for another month’s rent. At the end of the day, if they don’t know when you are moving out, how can they advertise that your old rental property is available?

 

4. Fill out a change of address form

If you don’t fill out a change of address form in your local post office, you will continue to get a post sent to your old address. If your bank is sending you confidential information through the post, you won’t want anybody else opening it. If you fail to fill out the form, you might forget to pay bills, which can end up costing you a lot more in the long run. 

You should be able to fill the form in the post office, but these forms are available online in most countries. 

 

Conclusion

If you prepare in advance to move out of your rental, you will reduce the risk of forgetting something or something going wrong. If you are worried about losing your deposit, you should consider asking your landlord for advice long before you move out. They can give you an insight into what they expect from you, and any things that need to be fixed or cleaned.

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