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Getting Ready To Move Out

So, you’ve browsed the new homes to rent, you’ve found the perfect place, you’re all set to move and looking forward to all the advantages that new property will bring…but hang on because before you can move into the new place you need to get ready to move out of the property you’re currently in. […]

getting ready to move out

So, you’ve browsed the new homes to rent, you’ve found the perfect place, you’re all set to move and looking forward to all the advantages that new property will bring…but hang on because before you can move into the new place you need to get ready to move out of the property you’re currently in. Most of us have moved home at least once already and will know that it can be an incredibly stressful process, particularly if you are trying to time it so you can move straight into your new abode. At TTV we think the key is organisation and that’s why we’ve come up with something of a checklist to help you make sure that you have everything covered.

How will you move your possessions?

When the time has come to start getting ready to move, take a good long look at everything you have and think about how you’re going to get it from A (the current place) to B (your new home). You may well be able to do the removals yourself, or with the help of friends or family, but if you have furniture that needs to be transported you might want to consider a removals company, or at the very least a man with a van. Often dismantling furniture to move it – and putting it back up – can be included in the deal when you hire professionals and this can take a lot of the stress out of the moving day itself. As an aside, when you are working out the volume of ‘stuff’ you have, double your estimate – we always underestimate how much we accumulate in terms of possessions.

What notice do you need to give?

If you’re all set to move then you will no doubt have already given your notice to your current landlord (if not, check your lease as most require at least two months and won’t allow you to leave without a penalty during the fixed term). However, this is not the only type of notice required. You need to give notice to all the utilities companies you use – gas, electricity, water – as well as any other contracts you may have signed such as a cleaner, internet, cable TV or regular newspaper delivery. If you want to take any of these services with you to the new property then the provider can usually tell you how to do it. Just make sure that before you hand over the keys to the property you take the final readings on the meters so that you have them handy either way.

What about the inventory?

If you had a check in inventory then you must make sure you complete a check out inventory too. Go around and make a note of any damage that you have caused, any damage that was already there when you moved in and deterioration to the property – take photos of anything that might be a reason for the landlord to hold on to your deposit, just in case. Make sure that any items of furniture or contents that are listed on the itinerary are still in the property – if they are broken or missing it might well be cheaper to carry out repairs or fix them yourself, within reason. Even if you didn’t have an itinerary this kind of note taking is useful as you never quite know whether the landlord will try to hold on to your deposit and what for. TTV recommends you always request a check in inventory; for more detailed information see our help and advice article here.

Check the tenancy agreement

Most agreements will place an obligation on a departing tenant when it comes to end of tenancy cleaning. Hopefully you checked this when you moved in so you know whether you are required to organise and pay for a professional clean or simply to leave the property in the state it was in when you moved in (for more on end of tenancy cleaning take a look at our previous blog here). Leave yourself time to do the cleaning properly and make sure that you remove any items that must not be left in the flat – for example, if you leave a bed in a flat that you rented unfurnished then more than likely the agreement will allow the landlord to charge you for its removal.

And finally, when you are moving out don’t forget to give the keys back in person and ask for a receipt – once this is done then the letting agent will be able to access the property to inspect it and you can get answers to key questions such as when will I get my deposit back?

If you want some tips on getting just as organised for your arrival in a new place as for a departure then take a look at our blog on moving in to your new property.

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Disclaimer

This article is provided as a guide. Any information should be used for research purposes and not as the base for taking legal action. The Tenants' Voice does not provide legal advice and our content does not constitute a client-solicitor relationship.

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