Moving Soon?

If you’re renting right now, check your current lease to see how much notice you must give before moving out. It is best to notify your landlord in writing.

Make a list of anyone who needs to know your new address. This may include relatives and friends, your employer, banks or credit card companies, insurance providers, and subscription services.

You should also provide your current landlord with a forwarding address (so they can return your security deposit in the future).

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will forward your mail for a period of time if you submit a change of address form. You can do this for free at the post office, or online (for a small fee).

You may be able to find free or cheap moving supplies, such as cardboard boxes, on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Reusing materials is great for the planet (and our wallets), but be sure to inspect them for any signs of pests before bringing them into your home.

Talk to the property manager and/or your utility company about disconnecting or discontinuing service at your current home. You may also need to connect services for the new unit — if unsure, refer to your lease, or ask the landlord.

Don’t forget to ask about any utility deposits you may have put down when you moved in.

Thoroughly clean the unit to the best of your ability — don’t forget about appliances, like the oven or fridge/freezer. In Virginia, the standard is…which means…

Landlords generally cannot charge you for very insignificant repairs (e.g. fixing nail holes in the wall). However, if you put any larger holes in the wall (e.g. mounted shelves or a television), you may wish to patch and paint. This is often cheaper to do yourself — some landlords will deduct hundreds of dollars from your deposit if they have to repaint the unit.

Check your lease to see if there are any special requirements for moving out of your current residence. For example, you may be required to replace any lightbulbs that have burnt out while you lived there.

It is a good idea to complete a Rental Condition Checklist again when you move out of your apartment. It is also advisable to take clear photos of the unit in good lighting — you will want to be able to show that you left the apartment in good condition, in case your landlord tries to take money from your security deposit.

In Virginia, tenants have the right to request a final inspection walkthrough with the landlord or property manager. This allows the tenant to confirm whether any damages are present — and gives them an opportunity to fix any issues before the landlord deducts money from their security deposit.

Turning in your keys is generally considered the official sign that you have moved out. Don’t forget about other keys (such as mailbox or laundry room keys).

Just to be safe and prevent any misunderstandings, you may also wish to notify your landlord (you can text or email them) that you have moved out once you’ve turned in your keys.