moving out of apartment checklist

You’re moving out of your apartment? Congratulations! While moving out of an apartment is usually easier than moving out of a house, there are still some steps you’ll need to take. It’s a little different from moving out of a house, and there are some things you need to watch out for. 

This post will offer you tips to avoid many of the common problems.

60 Days in Advance

Review Your Lease Agreement

Review your lease and check with the leasing office or your landlord about move out guidelines as soon as you know you’ll be moving out. You’ll want to check how much notice you need to give, what you’ll need to clean and return, and other conditions.

Your apartment complex might need to be notified if you will have a large moving van parked near your apartment on moving day. If movers have to park along the street, the apartment manager may have to notify the city, so you should give them plenty of notice.

If you live in an apartment building with an elevator, ask the apartment manager about reserving or using the service elevator.

Assess Any Damage

Go through your apartment, including the patio or balcony, if any, and note what areas you’ll need to fix. This is the time to patch up holes in walls and replace burned-out light bulbs.

30 Days in Advance

Notify Your Landlord

Depending on the terms of your lease, you’ll need to give the leasing office or landlord advance written notice before you vacate. It is customary to notify the landlord you will be moving at least 30 days before the move date. That way, they have a chance to find a new tenant by the time you move out. However, some lease agreements may require you to provide 90 days’ advance notice.

Gather Up Moving Supplies

Now is also the time to begin collecting boxes, packing paper, tape, bubble wrap, and other materials you’ll need for moving.

Three Weeks in Advance

Prepare Your Belongings for Moving

Start decluttering your apartment and preparing for the move. For items you will be moving, make sure there are appropriate containers or boxes to ship them. If there are items you won’t take with you, make arrangements to donate or sell them. Other tenants in the apartment complex might take your old TV or coffee table.

Arrange a Moving Company

If you need a moving company’s help to move your household items, now is the time to start looking for one. Get recommendations from friends or relatives for reliable companies. Your neighbor who just moved in down the hall might have suggestions for good movers. The cost to move will vary depending on the distance and how much you have to move.

If you’re moving locally, and your new home will be available in advance, you can consider moving some items yourself to reduce the moving costs.

Two Weeks in Advance

Confirm the Date With Your Moving Company

Contact your moving company and confirm the date, time, and addresses. Find out when they will be arriving and ask how long it might take.

Begin Packing

Pack your household items except for essentials you’ll need for two weeks, like clothing, toiletries, and food. Begin cleaning out your refrigerator and cabinets. Prepare a cooler to hold food items from the fridge on moving day. If it’s hot, consider preparing another cooler of cold drinks for yourself and the movers. They’ll appreciate it!

If you’re moving locally, and your new home is available, you can consider moving boxes and non-valuable items to your new place to reduce the workload on moving day.

Notify Utility Companies and Insurance

With some leases, utilities like electricity and cable are included in the rent, while with others, you pay the utility companies directly. If you pay your utilities, notify the utility companies of your upcoming move. Let them know to either close your account after you move out or change your address if you’ll need service at your new home.

Also notify your insurance company to cancel your renter’s insurance after the move or begin coverage at your new place if you’ll be renting.

Update Addresses

Updating your address is a crucial part of moving and one you don’t want to forget. You don’t want the next tenants who move into your place to be looking through your financial statements. Start with the US Postal Service and then work your way to banks and other service providers to update your address.

Get Back All of Your Keys

If you gave a key to your neighbor so they could take care of your plants while you were away, be sure to get it back. If you have keys or remotes for the entrance gate, swimming pool, mail room, or fitness center, prepare those as well. All keys and remotes must be returned to the property manager or landlord when you vacate the apartment. If anything is missing, you will likely be charged to replace it.

One Week in Advance

Finish Packing and Start Cleaning

The final week before the move is the time to finish packing and emptying rooms as much as possible. Move your boxes to the center of the room so you can vacuum, paint, and repair any holes in walls. Cleaning your apartment for the last time shouldn’t be rushed. Spread it out over a week or so before your move.

Ask the landlord when your security deposit will be returned and confirm where you’d like the check to be electronically deposited. Ask about any deductions.

Schedule Your Final Walkthrough with the Landlord

Ask the leasing office or landlord when they will perform a walkthrough inspection, then address any issues found. Most landlords will conduct an inspection when you leave the apartment and will check for any damage or stains. This inspection is typically thorough, so don’t overlook anything. Ensure the tops of cabinets and the refrigerator are free of dust and dirt. Consider taking pictures of the apartment to document its condition when you left.

Moving Day

On moving day, get up well in advance of when the movers will arrive. Have a good breakfast because you’ll need energy (and likely won’t get lunch). Some other items to take care of are:

  • Take out the trash
  • Empty the refrigerator and put things in the cooler
  • Spot clean the refrigerator and sweep and dust any remaining areas

After everything is moved out, do a final walkthrough to ensure everything is gone, then return the keys.

Whatever type of move you do, the process can be taxing. Moving out of an apartment comes with unique challenges, but following the tips in this post should help make it a breeze!

We hope you found this blog post on A Complete Moving Out of Apartment Checklist useful. Be sure to check out our post on The Top 5 Pro Packing Tips to Make Your Moving Easier for more great information!


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