FREE 10+ Move Out Checklist Samples [ Tenant, Cleaning, Inspection ]

Moving out is a part of the renting process that both landlords and tenants should prepare for. For landlords, they must ensure that the unit is in pristine condition and move-in ready, once the previous tenant has moved out, and for the tenants, their priority should be getting their security deposit returned at the end of your lease agreement. To help both landlord and tenant during the move-out process, a checklist must be created to ensure that the inspection process during the move-out period is done without any hitch and help tenants to know what to do. Read the article to find out how to make a move-out checklist.

10+ Move Out Checklist Samples

1. Tenant Move Out Property Checklist

2. Move Out Checklist

3. Move In Move Out Checklist

4. Sample Move Out Checklist

5. Rental Move Out Checklist

6. Standard Move Out Checklist

7. Move Out Cleaning Checklist

8. Move Out Inspection Checklist

9. Move Out Charges Checklist

10. Move Out Condition Checklist

11. Apartment Move Out Checklist

What is a Move-Out Checklist?

A move-out checklist is a list that details all the important aspects of a thorough move-out inspection. Both landlords and tenants can use it. Both landlords and tenants benefit from taking the time to conduct a move-out inspection. Ensuring that the unit is in pristine condition for the next tenant and guaranteeing a full security deposit refund offers a great incentive for both parties to perform a thorough inspection.

For landlords, following a move-out checklist can reveal any significant damage that tenants caused during their occupancy. Inspecting a unit can also provide an accurate estimate of how long it’ll take until the landlord can consider the unit to be move-in ready.

If there are move-out instructions within the lease agreement, both landlords and tenants must abide by them. This helps to avoid any problems after move-out. Those problems could include tenants leaving furniture behind, an uncleaned unit, and even forgotten keys.

How to Create a Move Out Checklist

The following guidelines below can be used for tenants who are about to leave the residence. However, landlords can take some tips from them to include in their checklist.

1. Settle Your Utilities

Contact your utility suppliers and let them know you’ll be leaving your apartment and to inform them to officially close your account. Utilities include water, sewage, electricity, gas, telephone, internet, and other utilities you have. Settle your last payment with them.

2. Inform Important People of Your Change of Residence

Include in your checklist to contact anyone that has personal details of yours and provide them with your new address. These include banks,  Insurance companies, doctors, friends and family, and your workplace.

3. Check the Condition of Property

Before you move out, your landlord may remind you of any specific end-of-tenancy terms and requirements for your property that you agreed to in your tenancy agreement. Make sure that the whole property is in good condition and each term in your agreement is met. Deep clean the property a few days before you officially move out.  Make sure each item is left where you found it when you first checked in if the property landlord owns the furnishing. You can do the following to make sure every area of the property is clean when the landlord shows up to inspect the place:

• Clear out the gutters and chimney
• Wipe the windows
• Dry clean the upholstery, curtains, and linen
• Mow and clean the outdoor space
• Defrost the freezer (if it belongs to the landlord)

If you check the property and find that there are objects that are damaged or missing, let the landlord know before you leave and find out how to replace or repair them.

4. Remove Your Belongings

Include in your list to remove all your belongings on the property. List down any tools and objects you needed for packing and when you need to hire a removal or transport service. You can include in your checklist how you will pack your belongings into categories to ensure that you don’t leave out anything.

5. Claim Your Deposit Return

Make sure to claim your security deposit. Discuss this with the landlord or with the estate agent. Depending on the terms of your agreement, your deposit won’t be returned to you until both you and the landlord are in agreement and confirmed this to the agent. Depending on your landlord’s service agreement with the estate agent, the agent may negotiate with you and the landlord to return your deposit.

FAQs

Regardless of circumstances, tenants and landlords must follow any move-out rules that the lease agreement includes since they are both legally bound by their agreement. If a dispute may arise, be sure to document it by having a time-stamped photographs on hand. Those will help you ensure that you have proof of your argument. To help you get started on making your own move-out checklist and tailor it to a specific unit of the property, download our sample templates provided above. There are templates available for both tenants and landlords. They are free so you can download as many checklist templates as you like!