Planning to move out sometime soon? You need a comprehensive apartment move-out checklist to streamline the moving process! This checklist contains everything you need to do before moving out, such as notifying your landlord, cleaning, packing, and making sure the apartment is in good condition to get your security deposit back.
If you’d like to print out the move-out checklist you can find that here:
1. Notify Your Landlord
When moving out, the first thing you need to do is to notify your landlord or rental agency.
Even if you’re nearing the end of your lease, don’t assume that it’ll automatically cancel by itself because some contracts renew automatically.
Moreover, many lease agreements or local laws require you to provide written notice before moving out. Failing to do so can have significant consequences, such as:
- Termination Fees: You may be responsible for paying a portion of the remaining rent for the term of the lease.
- Loss of Security Deposit: Your landlord may withhold all or part of your security deposit, even if the property is in excellent condition and has otherwise fulfilled all lease obligations.
- Negative Credit Report: Early lease termination may be reported to credit bureaus which can negatively impact your credit score, making it more difficult to rent or obtain loans in the future.
- Legal Action: In some cases, landlords may take legal action against you to recover any unpaid rent or damages.
To notify your landlord, send a written notice either via email or letter clearly stating your intent to move out and including your move-out date. It’s also a good idea to contact your landlord directly, either by phone or in person, to confirm they received your notice and discuss any final details of your move.
Setting a Move-Out Date
The notice period for vacating a rental property depends on two things: the specific terms of your lease agreement and the local housing laws of your city or state.
For example, cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston require a 30-day notice before moving out, while locations such as Florida and North Carolina have a notice period of under 15 days.
That said, you’re obligated to follow the terms of the agreement even if they differ from local regulations. For instance, if the lease requires a minimum notice of 60 days and you’re in Los Angeles, where 30 days is typical, you must still provide the full 60-day notice.
Understanding Minimum Stay
Month-to-month rental agreements usually don’t have a minimum stay requirement, so you can move out without being bound to a specific timeline.
The same isn’t true for standard lease agreements, which often include a minimum stay period of 6 to 24 months.
Breaking a lease before the agreed-upon term can result in penalties, such as paying the remaining rent or forfeiting your security deposit.
However, the minimum stay requirement may be waived under force majeure clauses (FM) for situations like separation, unemployment, or job relocation.
You may also be able to legally break a lease early if the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time, if you experience unlawful harassment from the landlord or their representatives, or if the property becomes uninhabitable due to circumstances beyond your control (crime, flood, or fire).
2. Fix Everything
And we mean everything. That leaky faucet you’ve been ignoring for months? Get a plumber to fix it. The small hole in the wall from when you tried (and failed) to hang a painting? Patch it up. That adorable crayon artwork your 3-year-old made on the wall? Yup, that too. Everything beyond normal wear and tear must be repaired, replaced, or removed before your move.
There’s no exact definition of ‘normal wear and tear’ under the law, but it generally refers to minor issues that occur over time as a result of everyday use. It doesn’t matter how much you care for the property; these things are bound to happen no matter what.
Common examples of normal wear and tear include:
- Worn carpets
- Faded, chipped, or dull paint
- Scuffed or worn finish on wooden floors
- Scratches or worn enamel in bathtubs, sinks, or toilets
- Stained or faded lampshades or window coverings
- Minor chips in the plaster
On the other hand, the following are examples of damage for which your landlord could hold you liable (by withholding your security deposit):
- Holes in the walls
- Broken windows
- Burns, stains, or holes in the carpet
- Missing fixtures
- Seriously damaged or ruined wallpaper*
- Gaping holes in plaster or walls
- Paint, wallpaper, drawings, or wall markings that the landlord didn’t approve
- Clogged or damaged toilet due to improper use
- Chipped or broken enamel in bathtubs and sinks
- Missing or cracked bathroom tiles
- Missing or bent shower rods
3. Clean the Entire Apartment
Next up on the apartment move-out checklist is to deep clean the entire apartment. You want the apartment to be ready for the next tenant to move in as soon as you leave, which means it should be spotless from top to bottom.
When cleaning your apartment, always work from the top (ceiling, walls, windows) to the bottom (carpet, baseboards, and floors). This way, the dust and dirt fall to the ground as you clean so you don’t have to vacuum or sweep multiple times.
Here’s a checklist of what you should do:
All Rooms
- Clear cobwebs from the walls, ceiling, and corners using a broom or vacuum cleaner.
- Wipe down the walls, focusing on smudges, stains, and scuff marks. Use a magic eraser to remove stubborn spots.
- Dust shelves, light fixtures, ceiling fans, windowsills, and baseboards.
- Clean all glass surfaces using a streak-free cleaner.
- Wipe down light switches and outlet covers with a damp cloth.
- Replace the batteries of the smoke detectors.
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum the floors in each room of the apartment. Ask family members to avoid walking on the floors until they are fully dry, and keep pets in a separate room.
- Replace burned-out bulbs.
Kitchen
- Clear out pantries and cabinets, discarding expired or unwanted food. If you have lots of unopened, still-edible items, pack them in a box and consider donating them to charity or a homeless shelter.
- Clean the oven. Use the auto-clean setting if available. If not, mix baking soda and water into a paste, apply it inside the oven, and let it dry. Wipe it away with a cloth, then spray vinegar on any remaining residue.
- Clean the dishwasher. Remove debris and wash the filter with warm, soapy water. Run a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar on the top rack, then sprinkle baking soda on the bottom and run a short cycle. Don’t forget to wipe the door and seal it clean.
- Sanitize the sink and faucet. Scrub the sink with a non-abrasive cleaner, focusing on stains and buildup around the edges. Use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas. Polish the faucet and handles to remove water spots and fingerprints.
- Clean the interior of the refrigerator. Remove all food items, check expiration dates, and discard those that are no longer edible. Then, wipe down the interior and exterior of the fridge, including the door seals and handles.
- Wipe down the backsplash with a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner. For walls near cooking areas, remove grease splatters and stains.
Bedroom
- Take everything off the countertops, shelves, and shower so nothing gets in the way while you’re cleaning.
- Store unused cosmetics, towels, and toiletries, and keep only the essentials out until your final days before moving out.
- Scrub the shower and tub. Pay extra attention to grout and corners where mold tends to hide.
- Clean the toilet inside and out with a toilet cleaner and brush.
- Polish the mirrors. Opt for an ammonia-based glass cleaner and wipe the surface with a dry lint-free cloth from top to bottom. Use circular motions for that streak-free finish.
- Wipe down the surface of the bathroom vanity with an all-purpose cleaning spray.
- Spray distilled white vinegar directly onto the faucet to remove water stains. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
4. Pack for Your Move
Before you start packing, make sure you have these essentials on hand:
- Boxes of multiple sizes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Permanent marker
- Scissors or box cutter
- Ziplock bags, trash bags, and plastic bags
With these items on hand, you’re ready to pack for your move. This list focuses on smaller items and assumes you’ll be packing larger furniture such as couches, TVs, and bedside tables separately.
Kitchen Packing Checklist
- Cookware like pots, pans, slow cookers, and casserole dishes
- Cups and mugs
- Utensils like spoons, knives, tongs, grater, peeler, and cutting boards
- Kettle
- Paper towels and paper towel holder
- Aluminum foil and cling wrap
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutlery organizer
- Knife block
- Food storage containers
- Dish brush/sponge and dishwashing liquid
Bathroom Packing Checklist
- Toilet paper rolls
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap
- Razor, shaving cream, and grooming tools
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Bathrobes or shower wraps
- Shower curtain and hooks
- Toilet brush and holder
Bedroom Packing Checklist
- Sheets (bed linens, pillowcases, blankets, comforters)
- Pillows
- Clothes (pack by category or season, like winter, summer, and formal wear)
- Bags, purses, and backpacks
- Accessories (hats, scarves, belts)
- Jewelry and jewelry box
- Photo albums or keepsakes
- Laundry basket or hamper
Electronics
- Hairdryer, straightener, or curling iron
- TV and remote
- Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, etc.)
- Laptop or desktop computer
- Charging cables, power adapters
- All cords and power cables for devices
- Extension cords and power strips
- HDMI cables, USB cords, and other connectors
- Batteries or chargers for any other devices
- Cables for lamps, fans, or other electronics
- Home security or smart home devices
5. Hire Movers
If you have a lot of furniture or delicate items, it’s worth considering professional help. While you can move everything yourself, hiring movers can make the process much easier and less stressful. Moving companies charge between $25 to $125 per mover, per hour.
6. Disconnect or Transfer Your Utilities
Before moving, disconnect or transfer your utilities. Call your electricity, water, gas, and internet providers to either turn off or transfer services to your new home. Do this a few days before moving to avoid any issues, and don’t forget to provide your supplier with a forwarding address so they can send your final bill to your new location.
7. Cancel Delivery-based Subscription Services
If you’re subscribed to newspaper or magazine services, call ahead of time to either cancel or change your address with the company. The same is said when you’re subscribed to subscription boxes (like food, beauty, or fitness kits). Call the companies well in advance of moving day, ideally a month before you’re scheduled to receive the packages.
8. Update Your Address
Update your address with government agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare providers to avoid missing important mail. Here’s a checklist of who to notify:
- Bank/building society
- Insurance companies
- Credit card companies
- Employer
- Doctor’s office
- Tax authorities
- Online shopping accounts
- School/university, if applicable
- Loan providers
- Postal service
- Driver’s license and vehicle registration
- Social security administration
Simplify your move with our apartment move-out checklist! From landlord notice to cleaning, we’ve got you covered. Download it free today!
