You’ve had a good run in your apartment. You’ve had movie nights, birthday parties, working from home, new pets, old friends, and everything else life can throw your way.
But now, it’s time for a new chapter. Maybe, like 15% of Americans, you’re ready to move to a nicer apartment. Maybe the cost of housing has gone up. Maybe you’ve got a job. Maybe you want to establish your own household.
Whatever the reason, the time has come to move.
And while moving can be stressful, preparation will make the whole process that much smoother. Here are three items to include on your apartment move-out checklist.
Table of Contents
1. Inform Your Landlord, Hire Movers
Okay, technically this is two things, but you should notify your landlord and hire movers around the same time, so we’re giving them to you as one list item.
Notifying your landlord isn’t just common courtesy–it’s part of the legal procedure of terminating your lease. Your lease will include the required window to notify the landlord prior to terminating your lease, which can vary anywhere from 90 days to 30 days.
To notify your landlord, you’ll need to write an official letter terminating your lease. If your landlord (or property manager) is on-site, deliver the letter in person so you can ask them to sign it and make a copy for you to retain.
In the meantime, you’ll need to start researching moving companies in your area. The best place to start is to get personal recommendations from friends and family. Make a list of companies that look promising and call them with a list of questions.
Remember, the best and most popular movers are also the busiest, so the sooner you can book your moving date, the better chance you have of securing the company you want for your desired date.
2. Pack
Now comes the hard part: packing.
The best place to start packing is by deciding what will move with you and what will stay behind. It’s best to take a weekend or two and go through your stuff systematically. If you have any items in storage, take an inventory to make sure you aren’t bringing items you don’t need.
In the meantime, start collecting packing supplies from friends, family, or your place of work. It’s cheaper to do this than buying new boxes, but you can also buy moving supplies if you need to.
Once you’ve sorted items and dropped off donations, go through your apartment room-by-room and start packing. When labeling boxes, be clear and specific–for example, label it by room and contents–and resist the temptation to pack miscellaneous boxes.
3. Get the Apartment Cleaned
Last but not least, if you want your security deposit back, make sure to get your apartment cleaned.
Unless you’re a particularly dedicated cleaner or have time to deep-clean your apartment, the best way to do this is by hiring professional cleaners. The process of hiring professional cleaners is similar to hiring movers, so do your research and get recommendations.
When hiring cleaners, make sure you find a company that can address all your problem areas. You want the best choice carpet cleaning service, but you also want your bathroom and kitchen to sparkle.
Master Your Apartment Move-Out Checklist
Here’s the good news: once you’ve written your apartment move-out checklist, the rest of the move will fall into place. It’s just a matter of organization.
And if you want more tips to make your new home tasteful, make sure to check out the home section of this blog.
