Move-out day is often full of last-minute tasks that make chaos inevitable. From packing up your entire life in a box to ensuring your rental is spotless for that final inspection, you may have a lot of ground to cover. As a result, without the right planning and organization, you could make small mistakes that cost you your security deposit.
Continue reading the article below as we’ve put together the ultimate tenant’s survival guide for move-out day to help you exit confidently and with no surprises.
Common Mistakes Tenants Make When Moving Out
Skipping Proper Cleaning
Use the “broom-clean” standard when doing a final sweep of your apartment to ensure you don’t get any deductions in your security deposit. If you’re looking to get your total deposit back, it’s essential to go beyond just taking out the trash. It’s common for tenants to overlook small things, such as grease in the oven or dirt behind the pantry. These are common places landlords check, and if they fall short of spotless, so does your security deposit.
Ignoring Minor Repairs
Another mistake tenants make when moving out is leaving their rental in disrepair. After all, why bother to spend money on broken furniture or filling up nail holes when you’re already moving out? It seems like a waste of money that you could use to set up your new place. However, landlords often charge for those repairs, and it can cost you more than if you’d simply done it yourself.
Failing to Document the Property’s Condition
If you want to avoid going back and forth with your landlord on whether the bathroom door was fixed or not when you left, it would be in your best interest to document it. Not taking photos or videos before leaving makes it harder to dispute unfair damage claims. As a result, proper documentation is vital to defend yourself in a deposit disagreement. Remember, you can also contact a rental manager in Baltimore if you have any questions about specific move-out requirements.
Importance of Using a Move-Out Checklist
Avoiding Costly Oversights
Using a move-out checklist helps tenants stay organized and ensure the property is left in excellent condition. For example, if you have a list with important tasks you have to complete before leaving the house, you’re less likely to forget minor things such as patching up the nail holes above your desk. This structured list can reduce the risk of missing details that lead to deposit deductions or extra charges.
Keeping the Move Stress-Free
Moving out can quickly feel overwhelming because of how many things you have to do, especially if you’re working with a tight deadline. As a result, some tenants feel like sitting down to make a list slows them down, but a checklist actually does the opposite. It breaks down the process into more manageable steps that help you stay organized and meet your lease requirements on time. In essence, it makes everything far less stressful.
Benefits of Using a Move-Out Checklist
Protecting Security Deposit
Save more money by keeping security deposits to a minimum with an organized checklist. After all, the purpose of a move-out checklist is to help you ensure you meet all lease requirements before leaving. While it may seem like an extra thing to do, by tracking cleaning tasks, minor repairs, and key returns, you reduce the risk of overlooking issues. In the long run, that extra oversight means fewer mistakes or incomplete move-out obligations that result in unnecessary deductions.
Avoiding Last-Minute Stress
If you want to keep the chaos to a minimum during move-out day, then you need a checklist. Moving out often comes with tight timelines and multiple responsibilities, which increase your cortisol levels. However, a checklist keeps everything organized and prevents rushed decisions or forgotten tasks. It also allows you to plan ahead and complete the move-out process calmly and efficiently.
Leave a Positive Impression
Following a checklist helps you leave the property in good condition, which reflects responsibility and professionalism. This can improve your relationship with the landlord, increase your chances of receiving positive references, and make future rental applications easier.
Conclusion
Move-out day is typically stressful because there can be many tasks to tackle before returning your keys, and small mistakes can mean costly deductions. However, with the right plan, you can protect your security deposit and keep the stress to a minimum. This starts by prioritizing deep cleaning tasks and making repairs. It would also be best to document the after before you leave to prevent disputes.
The easiest way to keep track of all these tasks is to create a move-out checklist. This document has several benefits, including keeping you organized by avoiding last-minute stressors and preventing costly mistakes. It also gives your landlord a final positive impression that can be useful in future home searches.