Regardless of whether or not you are a first-time tenant or a well-experienced one, there are many things that you must make sure you do before moving out. Every apartment renter should have this checklist from Cheap Movers San Diego (7465 Mission Gorge Road Suite #137, San Diego, CA 92120, (619) 738-2128) on hand when moving.
Planning Ahead
Give Notice
One of the first things a tenant should do when moving out is to inform the landlord of the intent to move out properly. This is called “giving notice” and consists of stating when you will move out, asking for a good referral, and checking the lease for any additional details. It is always a good idea to document what you said to a landlord and when to avoid any unnecessary legal entanglements. For more information on how to give your landlord notice, refer to this handy video from the Apartment Guide blog.
Canceling Utilities
If you have been paying for utilities while living at the apartment, be sure to talk with each company about scheduling a cancelation. In some cases, the landlord may know who is moving into the place next or ask that you simply have the utility companies transfer the utilities over. Either way, you should begin to have these conversations at least a month before vacating the apartment.
Ensure Cleanliness
A good tenant makes sure that the apartment is clean and exactly the way it was when it was rented to him or her. Not only will this create less work for the landlord when trying to place the apartment back on the market, but it will also help in getting a better recommendation overall.
Moving Your Belongings
The big question when moving out is how you will move your belongings out of the apartment? There are many options, and there is no right choice; it all comes down to the tenant and his or her preferences. One option is to move the belongings yourself in a car that you own or hire a moving truck or van for a few days. Another option is to hire a moving team that will make the move for you. Keep in mind that the method you choose may affect the way you pack everything.
Packing Up
Having boxes readily available before the move will prove useful so that when the time comes, you are ready to go. In general, it is best to place items in boxes in an organized fashion so if you do decide to hire help during the moving process; packages will less likely become lost and stay lost. This includes labeling each box with its contents and the desired room destination. An example might be labeling a box as such: Kitchen- silverware, plates, bowls, and cups.
Changing Addresses
One of the last things you will need to do is inform every company that you are moving to a new address. This is especially important information that the mailing companies need, such as the USPS. Any driver’s license or state ID will also need to be updated with the new address.