When you’re getting ready to move out of your rental, you might be wondering what you need to do before handing over those keys. And I get why it’s important to know all the steps before moving out because getting your security deposit back isn’t always guaranteed.
There’s a lot you have to consider like cleaning the place up, fixing any damages, and making sure you’ve got all your paperwork in order to make sure you get your deposit back.
Now, if you’re like most renters, you probably want to know exactly what to do before moving out. According to a recent survey, about 52% of renters don’t get their full security deposit back, and a big reason for that is not knowing what steps to take before leaving.
Our rental homes do a lot more than just give us a place to sleep. They protect our stuff, give us privacy, and help us save money compared to hotels or short-term stays. Taking care of your move-out process adds to your rental history which is great if you ever need a reference for future places. So doing it right is really important.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly what steps you need to take before moving out and what you need to know to get your security deposit back. Alright then, let’s begin with this post.
Thoroughly clean the property
Cleaning is probably the most obvious thing to do before moving out, but you’d be surprised how many people think a quick vacuum is enough. Trust me, landlords look at everything when you move out.
I once thought I had cleaned my apartment perfectly, but the landlord found dust on top of the kitchen cabinets that I never even thought to clean. That little oversight cost me $150 from my deposit.
According to a survey of property managers, cleaning issues account for about 58% of security deposit deductions. So it’s worth putting in the extra effort.
Start by deep cleaning the kitchen. The oven and refrigerator are usually the biggest culprits. Then move on to bathroom scrubbing, where soap scum and mildew love to hide. Don’t forget those baseboards, ceiling fans, and windows too.
And, instead of making multiple tip runs or enlisting the help of mates with utes, engage the services of end of lease rubbish removal specialists like 1300 Rubbish to get rid of it for you. They can save you a lot of time and hassle.
Repair any minor damages
Small damages might seem insignificant to you, but they can add up fast when your landlord is inspecting the place. Things like nail holes in walls, scuffs on paint, or that small crack in the bathroom tile you’ve been ignoring.
Most landlords expect some wear and tear, but anything beyond that is coming out of your deposit. About 43% of renters lose part of their deposit due to damage repairs.
I learned this lesson when I moved out of my first apartment. I left behind a small hole in the drywall from a TV mount, thinking it wasn’t a big deal. The landlord ended up charging me $120 to patch and paint that tiny hole.
For nail holes, a little spackle from the hardware store costs about $5 and takes minutes to apply. Touch-up paint can be tricky, but if you ask your landlord, they might have some left over from when they last painted the unit.
Some repairs are best left to professionals, but simple fixes like replacing a broken blind slat or tightening loose cabinet handles are easy DIY projects that will save you money.
Check and Replace Burned-Out Light Bulbs and Batteries
This one seems so small but gets overlooked all the time. Go through your entire rental and check every single light bulb. Replace any that are burned out.
Most lease agreements require you to leave all lights in working order. It’s such a small thing, but I’ve seen landlords charge tenants $5 to $10 per bulb that needs replacing, which is way more than what bulbs actually cost at the store.
And while you’re at it, check the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. If they’re beeping or dead, put in new ones. These are safety issues that landlords take seriously.
I once had a landlord who did a final walkthrough and noticed two burned-out bulbs in a ceiling fixture. Instead of just replacing them for a few bucks, he charged me a $25 service fee plus the cost of the bulbs. That stung a bit.
A pack of basic light bulbs costs around $10-15, and a 9-volt battery for smoke detectors is about $5. Spending $20 now could save you $100 or more in charges later.
Document the Condition with Photos or Videos
This step has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. Before you do anything else, walk through your entire rental and take detailed photos or videos of everything.
Get close-ups of any existing damage that was there when you moved in. Make sure to document the clean condition of appliances, floors, walls, and fixtures after you’ve cleaned.
According to a tenant rights organization, disputes over security deposits are among the most common issues between landlords and tenants, with about 70% of disputes involving disagreements about the condition of the property.
Your documentation should be date-stamped if possible. I like to take a video walkthrough while narrating what I’m looking at, and then follow up with detailed photos of anything that might be questionable.
I had a situation where a landlord tried to charge me for a cracked bathroom tile that was actually broken before I moved in. Luckily, I had a photo from my move-in day that showed the same crack, and that saved me about $200 in repair charges.
Cancel or Transfer Utilities
Nothing worse than moving out and still getting bills for your old place. Make sure to call all your utility companies and either cancel or transfer your services.
This includes electricity, gas, water, internet, cable, and any subscription services tied to your address. Some utility companies require notice of 48-72 hours, so don’t leave this until the last day.
I’ve seen people forget this step and end up paying for an extra month of internet or electricity at their old place. One friend of mine forgot to cancel his water service and got stuck with a $90 bill for the next tenant’s first month of usage.
When you call to cancel, ask for a final reading date that matches your move-out date. Some companies will give you a confirmation number, so write that down and keep it.
About 24% of renters report having issues with utility cancellations during moves. The most forgotten? Water and trash services, probably because they’re often billed quarterly instead of monthly.
Give Formal Notice
This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to give proper written notice that they’re leaving. Most leases require 30 days notice, some even require 60 days.
Not giving proper notice can result in being charged for extra rent, even after you’ve moved out. According to housing statistics, about 31% of security deposit disputes involve improper notice.
Your notice should be in writing and include your current address, the date you plan to vacate, and a forwarding address for your security deposit. Even if you’ve told your landlord verbally, follow up with an email or letter.
I once gave verbal notice to my property manager, who assured me that was sufficient. Two months later, I got a bill for an extra month’s rent because there was “no record” of my notice. Now I always send an email and ask for confirmation.
Return All Keys, Remotes, and Access Cards
This step sounds simple but gets complicated fast. Think about all the keys and access devices you’ve accumulated since moving in.
Apartment keys, mailbox keys, garage door openers, gate cards, pool keys, storage keys, parking permits, you name it. Landlords often charge replacement fees for these items, and they add up quick.
According to property management companies, the average replacement cost for a lost key is $25-50, electronic fobs can be $75-150, and garage door openers can run $50-100 each.
Make a list of everything you received when you moved in and check it against what you have now. If anything’s missing, it’s usually cheaper to replace it yourself than to have the landlord do it.
I had a roommate who lost our shared storage unit key. Instead of telling the landlord, he just moved out. The replacement fee came out of our security deposit, a whopping $75 for a key that would have cost maybe $5 to duplicate at the hardware store.
Get Security Deposit Follow-up
Before you leave, ask your landlord about the process and timeline for returning your security deposit. In most states, landlords have to return deposits within 21 to 30 days, along with an itemized list of any deductions.
Make sure they have your new address. About 22% of unreturned security deposits happen simply because the landlord doesn’t know where to send the check.
If you disagree with deductions, you have the right to dispute them. Having your move-out documentation from tip #4 will be crucial here.
I always send a follow-up email one week after moving out, just to confirm they have my new address and to ask when I can expect my deposit. It serves as a gentle reminder and creates a paper trail if there are issues later.
In my experience, being proactive about your deposit increases your chances of getting the full amount back. Landlords are less likely to make questionable deductions if they know you’re paying attention.
What happens if you don’t give 30 days notice before moving out?
Not giving proper notice is one of the costliest mistakes you can make when leaving a rental. If your lease requires 30 days notice and you only give 15, you could legally be on the hook for an extra 15 days of rent.
Some landlords will work with you if you find a replacement tenant quickly, but they’re not obligated to. According to tenant rights organizations, improper notice accounts for about 35% of security deposit withholdings.
I’ve seen situations where tenants had to pay nearly two months of rent for apartments they weren’t even living in anymore, all because they didn’t read their lease carefully regarding notice periods.
The legal consequences vary by state, but generally, your landlord can:
Keep your security deposit to cover unpaid rent Bill you for any remaining balance beyond your security deposit Report unpaid amounts to credit bureaus, damaging your credit score Use the improper notice as grounds to give you a negative reference
One friend gave just two weeks notice because she got a job offer in another state. Her landlord ended up keeping her entire $1,800 security deposit plus billing her for an additional $900 to cover the full 30 days required in her lease.
The bottom line is this, read your lease, know your obligations, and plan your move accordingly. If you need to leave earlier than your notice period allows, talk to your landlord and try to work something out.
Conclusion
Moving out of a rental isn’t something you just wake up one day and decide to do. It takes planning things thoroughly and following the right steps. And if you don’t think it through, costs can shake up your budget in no time and you will be left with a smaller bank account than you expected.
Always document everything. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen renters lose their deposits just because they couldn’t prove the condition of the place when they left. And make sure to get written confirmation of everything, from your notice to your final walkthrough.
Also, don’t wait until the last minute. Small tasks like fixing nail holes, replacing bulbs, and deep cleaning take more time than you think. Start at least two weeks before your move-out date.
So if moving day is in your future, take your time, follow these eight steps, and stay ahead of potential problems before they get ahead of you and your security deposit.
