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Moving Out Checklist For Tenants

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Moving out of any property is never an easy process, but as a tenant, there are extra things you’ll need to consider before you hand over your keys. Our moving out checklist below gives you an overview of everything you need to do before you move out, and some top tips to make the process run more smoothly.

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Find all your relevant tenancy documents

As soon as you have decided you’re moving, you must find and review all the documents relating to your tenancy, including:

  • Your tenancy agreement along with any attachments or renewals
  • Any information from your deposit protection scheme (if applicable)
  • Written agreements with your landlord you’ve made during your tenancy
  • Any contents insurance documents
  • Your move-in inventory report
  • Copies of your EPC and Gas Safety Certificate
  • Receipts for your rental payments
  • Receipts for utilities, repairs and maintenance work you’ve paid for
  • Contracts with utilities companies linked to your rental address
  • Any communication you’ve had with your landlord and lettings agents including letters, emails and texts

Once you have found the relevant documents, you can find out how to properly end your tenancy, what your notice period is and how to cancel or transfer any utilities or services relating to this address.

Check if your deposit is protected

When you rent a property, you will usually be asked to pay a tenancy deposit which landlords of private renters are legally obliged to protect. This is part of the government backed tenancy deposit scheme (TDP).

It’s important to check whether your deposit is protected by the TDP as soon as possible, in case there is any dispute at the end of your tenancy regarding the return of your deposit.

Inspect the property

You need to inspect the property using your move-in inventory to see if any damage has occurred during your tenancy. You should also make notes and take photographs of any problems during this process.

Once you have completed your inspection, find out which items are deductible from your deposit, and which are the responsibility of your landlord. Even if your deposit is protected by the TDP, your landlord can still take some money to cover the costs of any destruction however, this should only be on a ‘like-for-like’ basis.

Contact your landlord

At least two months before you move out, you need to contact your landlord and notify them that you want to end your tenancy.

For periodic tenancies, you will usually have to serve one months’ notice before moving out, whereas for fixed term tenancies you will have to pay your rent until the end of your tenancy agreement, unless your landlord is happy to end your tenancy early.

 It’s important to consider your tenancy type when arranging your move from one property to another.

Change of details for utilities and other services

After settling the end of your tenancy with your landlord, you need to contact your utilities and service providers to find out how to cancel or transfer your subscription to your new address.

At least two months ahead of your moving date, contact the following:

  • Letting agent
  • Local council (you might need to contact two different councils depending on if you’re moving to a different area)
  • Council tax
  • Gas and electricity suppliers
  • Water company
  • Landline and broadband provider
  • DVLA
  • HMRC
  • Your employer
  • Bank and credit card providers
  • Insurance and pension providers
  • Schools or universities
  • Doctors and dentists (you may need to find new ones if you’re moving out of the area)
  • Any other subscriptions which use this address

It might also be worth setting up a Royal Mail redirection service for the first few months after your check-out date.

Organise your move

If possible, when organising your move try and get your tenancies to overlap by a few days to make it easier for you to clean your old property. Once you know your moving date, schedule your final inspection with your landlord and start looking into end of tenancy cleaning companies and removals services if you plan on using either of these.

Packing and cleaning

In the weeks leading up to your move, start the process of packing and cleaning. This is a good opportunity to put away any seasonal items and discard anything you don’t use or won’t need in your next property.

To make the cleaning process easier, deep clean each room as you go, so that on the day of your final inspection you only need to do a final sweep through.

Things to take care of on moving day

Aside from coordinating the move itself, there are several things you need to be aware of on moving day.

At your old property you need to:

  • Check you haven’t left anything vital or taken anything you shouldn’t.
  • Take readings of gas, electric and water metres (you might also want to photograph these for future reference).
  • Shut down all main valves (gas and water) and ensure all appliances are switched off.
  • Lock all windows and doors.
  • Photograph the property as evidence of the moving out condition.

In your new property you should:

  • Photograph the move in condition.
  • Check the move-in inventory and flag any issues.
  • Test your smoke alarms.
  • Check the gas, power and water are working.

After your move

The main things to do after you move are:

  • Go to the final inspection with your old landlord or letting agent and return the keys.
  • Request a deposit return from your landlord or letting agent (if you have problems with this and your deposit is protected, contact the deposit protection scheme).
  • Speak to your new landlord about protecting your deposit.
  • Request copies of the gas safety certificates, EPC and other relevant documents.

Let us help you find your next home

If you’re looking to end your tenancy, talk to our experts and let us help you find your next home.