Moving out

Moving out checklist

Your step-by-step exit plan

Clean everything thoroughly- from kitchens to bathrooms (see to the right)

Take photos as evidence- record the condition of your room and common spaces

Remove all belongings- don’t leave any personal items or rubbish behind.

Make sure to lock all windows and doors

Take meter readings (water, gas, electricity)- make sure you inform utility companies of your tenancy end date and forwarding address

Return all keys- check how they need to be returned.

Cleaning & Photos

Not sure where to start? Here's a break down of the rooms, and what you might need to do in each.

KitchenBathroomCommunal areasGarden (if applicable)

Kitchen

 Kitchen

• Fridge and freezer: empty and defrost
• Clean the stove top and oven
• Ensure all food is eaten or disposed of (don't leave any dry goods)
• Empty all cupboards
• WIPE EVERYTHING: cabinets, surfaces, floors, worktops, microwaves, kettles etc
• Take photos once done- check against reference photos & inventory

Bathroom

Bathroom

• Empty the bins
• Remove any hair lodged in the drain
• Remove all toiletries
• Bleach the toilet (remember to lift the seat!)
• WIPE EVERYTHING- sink, bath, tiles, floor
• Take photos once done- check against reference photos & inventory

Communal areas

Communal areas

• Take down and remove all personal items (anything left may be at risk of being charged to be removed by your landlord)
• Return all the furniture to its original place- dust and wipe down once you do
• Vacuum all carpets, remove any stains
• Clean and vacuum the stairs
• WIPE EVERYTHING- front door, any artwork or windowsills
• Clean the interior windows
• Take photos once done- check against reference photos & inventory

Garden (if applicable)

 Garden (if applicable)

• Remove anything that belongs to you- outdoor furniture, games, toys
• Mow the grass (if this is a responsibility laid out in your tenancy agreement)
• Water any plants
• Clean any outdoor furniture
• Take photos once done- check against reference photos & inventory

Notice Period

Your notice period depends on the type of tenancy (see below), but it is important that if you are required to give notice that you do so as laid out in your tenancy agreement

• Standard fixed term tenancies: you're secured into your contract for the entire period (an end date should be given) and you will likely need to pay rent unless you can find a replacement tenant
• Break clause: some tenancy agreements contain a break clause that allows you to end the tenancy early, normally after a certain amount of time has lapsed (e.g. 6 months). If you have it this clause will specify the notice period and how to trigger it.
• Periodic tenancies: normally the notice period is a similar length of time as the periodic tenancy (e.g. for a month-to-month, it would be one month)

It is common for notice periods to end on the last day of a rental period (e.g. end of the month) so take this into account!

Important- always give your notice period in writing, so you have a record.

Deposit return & disputes

• Ensure you’ve met all conditions in your contract.
• Check the inventory and original photos you took of the space- ensure the condition matches (or exceeds if you're really keen) what is listed there
• Ask your landlord or agent for a final inspection.
• Keep all important communication in writing.
• Email them once you have left asking for the deposit to be returned
• You should receive your deposit within 10 days of moving out (minus any deductions that may have been taken from it as a result of the condition of the property)

• If you fail to reach an agreement of appropriate deductions from your deposit- you can raise a dispute with your respective deposit scheme using their Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme (ADR)

Summer storage options

• Look into local storage companies for temporary options.
• Coordinate shared transport with your housemates if possible.
• Donate or dispose of unwanted items responsibly, don’t leave them behind.

There are several storage and removal companies, below are a collection of places to check out:

If you need somewhere to stay in between lets, the SU have pulled together a non-exhaustive list of