Contemplating moving out of your rental? Then you’ll need to do some planning to ensure you conduct the process properly, get your full deposit back, and execute a successful move. At Ace Moving & Warehousing in Rochester, we know each type of relocation comes with its own unique steps. And for that reason, vacating a rental property can be quite a bit different than moving out of a privately owned home. To help you out, we’ve detailed 7 helpful steps for moving out of your rental below.
1. Review Your Lease
First things first: make sure you take a look at the terms of your lease! Here’s what you’ll need to know before you inform your landlord that you plan to move:
● The length of your lease term
● How much notice you’re required to give your landlord prior to your move date
● Your renter responsibilities during move out
● Maintenance obligations you agreed to in the lease
● Any special terms or provisions stipulated in your lease
Unfortunately, far too many renters fail to read their lease in its entirety, which ends up costing them dearly in the end. Before you even start planning your move, review your rental contract to make sure you’re in line with its terms.
2. Give Your Landlord Plenty of Notice
Most rental agreements require a written move-out notice, which means a simple phone call or face-to-face conversation won’t suffice. Since the majority of contracts stipulate a 30-day notice, it’s a good idea to drop your letter in the mail at least five weeks prior to your intended move date.
Ideally, you should include the current condition of the property, your intended relocation date, and ideally your new address. When a landlord knows how to get in contact with you, he or she will be less likely to assume you’ll attempt to evade renter’s responsibilities, such as furnishing your final rent payment and taking care of any repairs. Conclude your letter with a request for the return of your security deposit (provided the property is still in the same condition as it was the day you moved in).
3. Start Planning Your Move
After you take care of things with your landlord, start planning your move. Make sure you take care of the following steps:
● Determine your moving budget.
● Find a reputable moving company.
● Sort your belongings and determine what you plan to keep and get rid of.
● Donate or sell unneeded items.
● Purchase packing supplies (unless you’re opting for full moving and packing services).
● Organize your things by room
Even if you’re planning to hire a moving company, there are several items your movers and packers cannot or will not move. You’ll be responsible for arranging transportation for those belongings, so keep that in mind. Check out this comprehensive list of non-allowables to you can prepare appropriately for your move.
4. Take Care of any At-Fault Damages
Most rental agreements stipulate that tenants are either responsible for repairing damages themselves, or that the cost to repair said damages will be deducted from the tenant’s deposit. To ensure your rental is in the same condition it was when you moved in, take the time to inspect the entire property for damages.
If you have kids, there’s a good chance you’ll find damages you were previously unaware of, and you’ll need to take care of those prior to your move. Again, take a look at your lease agreement to determine what you’re liable for repairing.
5. Clean the Rental Thoroughly
If you fail to clean the property thoroughly before you leave, the cost for professional cleaning services will come out of your deposit. Though you’ll need to give the property a once-over after you remove the last of your belongings, it’s never a bad idea to take care of more involved cleaning projects early.
Once again, review your lease to determine if there are any stipulations around cleaning, such as hiring professional carpet cleaners or using a steam cleaner for certain areas. Regardless of any cleaning conditions set forth in your lease, make sure you leave the property spotless if you want your full deposit back!
6. Pack Your Belongings
If you’re planning to hire professional movers and packers, you can skip this step — the pros will take care of it for you. But if you’re planning a DIY move, it’s always best to start the packing process early. As mentioned, you’ll first need to sort through your stuff and determine what you plan to keep and what you no longer need. After you’ve figured it out, you can either donate to a local service, sell your things online, or even plan a garage sale to earn some extra cash.
7. Schedule an Inspection of the Rental
Last but certainly not least, you’ll need to schedule a move-out inspection with your landlord or your landlord’s agent. It’s always a good idea to be present for the final inspection — that way, if the landlord has any concerns, you’re right there to explain. More importantly, if your landlord or management company attempts to retain a portion of your deposit for anything you don’t believe you’re responsible for, you can try to negotiate on the spot.
Need Rochester Movers and Packers? Contact Ace Moving & Warehousing
Whether you’re moving out of a Rochester rental or a privately owned home, at Ace Moving & Warehousing, we’re here to help you out. Since 1958, we’ve proudly served Rochester homeowners with a wide variety of moving services, including full packing services, storage solutions, move plans, custom crating, and more. When you need an experienced team you can trust to do the job right, we’re the company to call!
For more information about our services or to request a fast moving quote, contact our Rochester office today at 507-288-3341 or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch.