Moving out of a rented property: what should you do before you leave?
Moving out of a rented property can become surprisingly busy.
There are boxes to pack, utilities to organise, addresses to change and usually a new home demanding your attention too.
But before handing the property back, it is worth giving yourself enough time to deal with the end of the tenancy properly.
Start before moving day
Try not to leave everything until the final few hours.
Your tenancy agreement and any check-out information you have been given should help you understand what is expected when you leave. Read through these in advance so there is time to deal with anything that needs attention.
It is also worth looking back at your inventory or check-in report.
This provides a useful record of the property's condition when your tenancy began and can help you identify anything that needs dealing with before you move out.
Remove everything you're taking with you
Once you've lived somewhere for a while, it is surprisingly easy to stop noticing what you've accumulated.
Check cupboards, loft or storage areas where applicable, sheds and outside spaces as well as the main rooms.
Unless something belongs to the property or you have agreed otherwise, don't assume the landlord or next tenant will want it.
Clearing everything properly also makes the final condition of the property much easier to assess.
Give yourself time to clean
Cleaning is another job that can become much bigger when it is left until moving day.
Work through the property methodically rather than concentrating only on the most visible areas. Kitchens, bathrooms, floors and surfaces will naturally need attention, but don't forget less obvious areas such as inside cupboards or appliances where relevant.
The important reference point is the condition in which the property should be returned under your tenancy, allowing for reasonable wear through normal use.
Don't ignore damage or outstanding issues
If something has been damaged or there is an issue you haven't previously mentioned, don't simply hope it goes unnoticed at check-out.
Tell your managing agent.
There is an important difference between normal wear over time and damage, and individual circumstances will vary. Clear communication gives everyone an opportunity to understand what has happened rather than discovering it for the first time after you've left.
Take final meter readings
Where you are responsible for utilities, take final meter readings when you leave and keep a record of them.
Photographs can be useful too.
You should also make the relevant utility providers and other organisations aware that you are moving, and arrange for post to be redirected where necessary.
These are small administrative jobs, but dealing with them promptly can prevent confusion afterwards.
Follow the agreed key return process
Make sure you know when and where all keys need to be returned.
That includes any additional sets, communal entrance keys, fobs or other access devices supplied during the tenancy.
If you're unsure about the arrangements, ask before moving day rather than trying to work it out once the property is empty.
A good tenancy deserves a clear ending
The end of a tenancy should not feel unnecessarily complicated.
For tenants, the most useful approach is to understand what is expected, allow enough time and ask questions if anything is unclear.
For a managing agent, the responsibility is to communicate the process properly and deal with the end of the tenancy carefully and fairly.
Moving home will probably still be a busy day. But the handover itself should not need to add unnecessary uncertainty.
If you're approaching the end of a tenancy managed by Brown & Brooke and you're unsure about the check-out process, please speak to us. We'd rather clarify something beforehand than leave you guessing about what you need to do.