Moving Out Of An Apartment? Do These Things First.
Are you preparing to move out of your apartment? Perhaps you are on to bigger and better things, have a new job opportunity in another city, or are ready for something new. Whatever the reason for your move, you need to do a few things before moving out to ensure a smooth transition.
Pack Strategically
Whether moving across town or to another city, packing your belongings is a lot of work. Make it easier by doing it strategically. Begin by inventorying everything that goes into each box on a document or spreadsheet. Label the boxes with a number and room location corresponding to the items listed so you can easily find what you need upon arrival at your next destination.
Next, pack everything you can do without for a while and set it aside. Pack a special box with needed items, such as a toolkit, flashlights, a few dishes and utensils, work supplies, extension cords, and cables. This box should include everything you will need to set up your new home and go about life before your boxes arrive or you have time to unpack.
Clean the Apartment
Whenever you move out of a rental unit, there is one essential step that you must take to leave your rental history in good standing and get your security deposit back. And that is to conduct a thorough move-out cleaning. More than likely, you will be so busy with the other logistics of your move that you will not have time to take on this task yourself. Luckily, you can hire a professional cleaning service to get the job done right.
A pro tip is to schedule the cleaners to come after all of your belongings have been removed from the apartment so nothing will prevent the cleaners from doing their work. After all, they are there to clean instead of shuffle boxes around to access new areas. In addition, if you are having the carpets cleaned, you will not be able to have your belongings on the floors anyway.
Watch this video for tips on how to get your security deposit back upon moving out of your apartment.
Patch and Repair
After your apartment has been emptied of your personal belongings and professionally cleaned, it is time to assess the space. If you find any nail holes or other damage you can easily fix, now is the time to patch and repair. By opting out of this small and easy step, you may be opting out of the return of your security deposit, whether in part or full.
If other areas of damage require more than a simple fix, consider getting an estimate for repairs. If the estimate is less than your security deposit, have it fixed before finalizing your move-out. If the repairs will exceed your security deposit, look at your rental agreement to determine if you will be responsible for any costs beyond the security deposit amount so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.
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