Most of our time spent thinking about our Phoenix apartments is dedicated to ways to make the home as awesome as possible. There’s a good reason for that: because it’s important to love where you live! Even so, there’s another important time in every living situation that demands plenty of attention in its own right, and that’s the process before you move out. With that in mind, here are some of the most important tips for moving out of an apartment.
Give Notice – If you’re not sure how much notice you need to give your landlord or leasing company, it’s a good idea to check your lease as soon as you start thinking about moving out. If your lease is month-to-month, it could be as little as 30 days. In some cases, you might have to give more prior notice or re-sign the lease for another period of time. Either way, make sure you give notice in plenty of time. Depending on your relationship, you may want to have that conversation in person, but it’s never a bad idea to send an email or something else that leaves a written record as well.
Schedule an Inspection – You’ll most likely have to have some inspection when you move out of your place, and it’s a good idea to get this scheduled as far in advance as possible so you can find a good time. Your landlord or leasing company may take charge of this when you put in your notice, but follow up with them if they don’t mention it. If possible, try to schedule the inspection for a time when you can be present so that you can address any issues that come up. You may be able to save yourself some money by resolving those problems before you’re all the way out of the place, and it’s nice to be there and weigh in.
Let People Know You’re Moving – As soon as you know where you’re going next, it’s time to start letting people know. Your friends and family probably want to know where they can reach you, and other organizations will definitely want to follow the big move. Set up a forwarding address with the post office, and get in touch with your utility companies. This will all help ensure your mail, internet connection, and other necessities don’t get interrupted by the move.
Settle up – If you have one or more roommates, make sure everyone gets their fair share of the deposit back. In the unfortunate event that you owe for cleaning or damages, make sure everyone pitches in their fair share. Make sure you don’t have any outstanding rent or other fees with your landlord or leasing company. Those kinds of things are only more difficult to take care of once you’ve moved on.
Create a Logistical Plan – Moving can be a big ordeal, but it’s easier when you’re thinking a few steps ahead. Hire a moving service or rent a truck to make sure you can transport all your furniture, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a few friends who can help carry things. Bribe them with pizza on moving day if you don’t want to feel like a burden, and it will make the process more fun for you too. Don’t put this off until the last minute, especially if you’re moving at a popular time like the end of a school year. You’ll be able to relax more if you get things reserved in advance.
Start Packing – You’ll need to keep some things out until the end, like your toiletries, some clothes, and any other items you use on a daily basis. If you have things you rarely use, especially items that are out of season, you can start getting them ready weeks in advance. This will reduce your need to scramble at the last minute, helping you stay organized. If you can’t pack most of your things just yet, you can at least start gathering boxes, tape, and other moving supplies.
Repair Damages – If you’ve broken a few minor things in the apartment, don’t stress out too much. It happens! Still, it’s extremely important to repair as much as possible, especially if you want to get your security deposit back. Check the lease to see what you’re responsible for, then work with the landlord or leasing company to see how you can make everything right. This is the time to get to all of those little things like lightbulbs that need to get replaced or holes from where you hang your pictures.
Clean Like Your Money Depends on It – Even if you haven’t broken anything, you could lose a lot of your security deposit if you leave the place as a dirty mess. Depending on how much you’ve been cleaning while you lived there, this can seem like a daunting task. It’s easier to feel in control and prevent getting overwhelmed if you break your cleaning into smaller tasks. Here are a few of the key areas to tackle:
Kitchen – Your kitchen can get super messy, especially if you cook a lot. Start by taking care of one appliance at a time: sink, stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave.
Bathroom – The shower, toilet, and sink are the biggest things to focus on here. If you have a medicine cabinet, it’s a good idea to give that a thorough cleaning on the inside, too.
Windows – It’s easy to overlook this part, but even easier to cross it off your list. A bottle of spray and some paper towels will have your windows sparkling in no time.
Other Surfaces – This is easiest once you’ve started to pack. Vacuum, mop, then wipe down light switches, walls, and floorboards as needed. The insides of closets and areas behind your furniture may need extra care, so it’s best to give yourself some time after getting everything out.
Find an Even Better Place to Live – There are lots of reasons you may be moving out. Maybe you just need to be a little bit closer to work so you can take time off of your morning commute. Perhaps you’ve outgrown your space and need more room, or you’d like it to be a little bit nicer. Maybe the price is getting too high, or you’re tired of how noisy it is, or you can’t find common ground with a troublesome neighbor. No matter why you’re choosing to leave, the most important thing is to find an even better place for your next home!
Apartments in West Phoenix
Here at Heers Management, we offer a great selection of West Phoenix Apartments that are ready for you to make your home. Each one of our buildings gives you a choice of floor plans so you can find one that’s just right for your current situation. Within those units, you’ll find state of the art appliances and other modern accommodations to make your day to day life more pleasant. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment, and let’s find your next apartment together.