Introduction
Moving out of your apartment can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be! There are a lot of things to think about when planning your move-out day—from cleaning up and putting your belongings in storage, to making sure that you’re covered with insurance. To help you save time and stress on moving day, here are some tips for planning ahead:
Plan for post-move cleaning
- Plan to do a thorough cleaning of your apartment before you leave. This will help ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises when it comes time to move out.
- Clean the carpets, floors, windows and walls of the apartment before moving day. Make sure that you’re not just vacuuming up dust bunnies—get down on hands and knees with a scrub brush so that every inch of floor is clean as a whistle! Don’t forget about cleaning appliances like refrigerators and ovens either; if something goes wrong once you’re gone (like an appliance breaks down), your landlord could hold you responsible for repairs or replacements even though they were functional when you moved in (and therefore part of what they charged rent).
Schedule a final walk through
The best way to ensure you get your security deposit back is to schedule a final walk through. This is when you and the landlord go over the apartment together, inspecting it for damage and making sure everything is clean. If there are any damages or if you weren’t able to clean up properly before moving out, this is the time for them to be pointed out so that you can agree on how they’ll be fixed and what will happen with your security deposit.
If there’s anything left behind in the apartment—like dishes or cleaning supplies—you should leave them there so that they’re not damaged by movers and other people who are going into your room after move out day. It’s also very important that all belongings get accounted for during this walkthrough (including loose change) so make sure everything has been packed properly!
Make sure you’re covered with insurance
It’s important to check with your landlord and the moving company about insurance coverage. Do they have insurance for their employees? Do you need to buy your own?
Check for insurance coverage on the items that are being moved. It’s also a good idea to check with companies like cable, phone and utility companies about covering damage done by their workmen during installation of new equipment or upgrades.
Everything must go
- Donate items that you no longer need. You can find a list of local charities on our website and schedule a pickup for any large items you’re willing to give away.
- Sell items that you don’t need any more, but that could still be useful to others.
- Throw away things you don’t need anymore and are unlikely to want again in the future, like old magazines or broken electronics.
- Keep only what’s necessary for your new life—and make sure everything is in good condition!
Be there for the movers to load & unload
It’s important to be there for the movers to load and unload your belongings. If you’re moving yourself, it’s also a good idea to be around in case something gets damaged or lost. This way, if you notice an item that isn’t packed properly or something seems amiss while they’re loading up the truck (or when they arrive at your new place), you can point it out before they leave.
If you aren’t moving yourself, then this step is especially important—you’ll need to sign off on everything being loaded and unloaded so that none of your stuff gets left behind at the old place (or accidentally taken by mistake). This is especially important if there are things about which you’re unsure: for example, if one housemate claims she packed an antique vase but another housemate claims she took it with her when she moved out months ago. It’s not just about making sure everyone has their stuff; it’s also about making sure everyone knows what belongs where!
Don’t procrastinate on moving day essentials
One of the most important things to do before move-out day is to make sure you have a place for everything. Make sure that all of your belongings are safely stored and organized so that you know exactly where everything is. If you don’t have enough space in your apartment or house, consider renting a storage unit or moving into student housing until after graduation when you can finally unpack all of your stuff.
Another tip is to remember where your car keys are if they’re not already in their designated spot on the key ring! On move out day, it’s easy to forget those small details like this – but it’s important not to forget them because otherwise how will you get around? You’ll want both sets of keys and any other essentials ready for action before heading out the door.
If possible, try making reservations at least two weeks in advance so that everyone has plenty of time managing their busy schedules without feeling rushed or stressed out by sudden changes in plans due cumulatively over time (examples include: finding temporary housing arrangements before moving into dorms).
Don’t forget the important things
- Turn off the utilities.
- Take out the trash.
- Turn off the water.
- Clean and sanitize your fridge, oven, and stove.
- Remove all furniture from your apartment.
- Remove all decorations from your apartment (except for those that are easily removable).
Moving out of your apartment can be stressful. You need to plan ahead and in advance.
Moving out of your apartment can be stressful. You need to plan ahead and in advance. Here are some tips on how to make this process easier on yourself:
- If you have a lot of stuff, consider renting a truck or moving van so that you don’t have to move it all by yourself.
- Start packing early, and pack in small batches so it doesn’t overwhelm you.
- Get everything out of storage as soon as possible, even if it is just part of what’s there—the sooner the better!
Conclusion
Preparation is key to a successful, stress-free move. And if you’ve hired a professional moving company like Freedom Moving & Storage, your move coordinator will be there to answer any questions you may have leading up to the big day and can also provide you with other essential checklists along the way.
