Tips for Moving Out of An Apartment

Updated on May 8, 2025

When you move out of your current apartment, you have just as many (if not potentially more) to-dos as if you were moving out of a house. There are considerations such as giving clear notice, working within your lease agreement, cleaning, fixing broken things, patching holes and damage, etc. That doesn't even take into account the work you will need to do to move to a new apartment or make the switch to a house and get your stuff packed and moved.

Moving out of an apartment takes time, planning, and careful consideration, but with the right tips and a moving company that fits your needs, the stress you experience can be reduced, making it much easier! Check out our tips for making your upcoming apartment move-out easier!

Purge and Declutter Before Moving Out of Your Apartment

One of the first things anyone should do, whether moving out of a loft or a 5-bedroom home, is declutter. Decluttering old stuff helps reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack and can even save you money during the move by lessening your moving load or allowing you to choose a smaller portable moving container. Take some time, several weeks before your move, and begin going through some of your belongings, particularly your closets or storage rooms. If there are fragile items in there that are not of sentimental value or you haven't seen them in months or years and don't serve a seasonal purpose (such as winter clothing or decorations), then consider removing them.

You can donate items that can still be used by others, or if it is just a collection of papers or other unused groups of items, you can throw them away. The more you can get rid of now, the fewer boxes you will need to pack, load, and unload later on, which is a big win! You will also give yourself more space at your new home for stuff you want to use or display.

Create a Move Out To-Do List

Making a move means making a plan, and making a plan means creating a thorough to-do list encompassing everything you need to do from start to finish. The last thing you need to do is forget to pick up your security deposit or turn on your utilities at your new home before you get there. We recommend giving yourself a timeline to ensure you cover all bases. Use our checklist below to get started, then take some time to think through anything else you might need to do prior to your move.

1. Choose your move-out date and give your landlord notice, including your contact information. Make sure you won't incur any penalties for breaking your lease if you move out early, or be prepared to pay the fine for doing so.
2. Check rental documents and see if you will receive your security deposit back or have already paid last month’s rent. If you will get your security deposit back by the end of your lease, be sure to find out what you need to complete before the landlord/company releases it.
3. Call utility companies and give them your scheduled cut-off date to avoid paying for services you aren't using.
4. Make a list of any needed repairs so you are not charged fees or lose your security deposit. Plan to get all repairs completed before your landlord does a walkthrough. This includes fixing holes in the wall, paint damage, etc. Have service requests for large items that the landlord is responsible for done ahead of time.
5. Call the property manager to determine if you need any special permissions for movers, moving and storage containers, and elevator usage, depending on the layout of your complex.
6. Alert your renters' insurance company about the change, and work with them or another provider to begin setting up renters' insurance for a new apartment or home.
7. Stock up on boxes, packing tape, labels or magic markers, bubble wrap, and other packing materials.
8. Begin the change of address process with the USPS and personally inform your financial institutions, subscription services, etc., of the change.
9. Schedule a utility turn-on date for your new address as soon as you have confirmed a move-in date.
10. Gather all the keys to the apartment and return them to your landlord.
11. Leave out the cleaning supplies you will need to deep clean the apartment before moving out.

Give Your Landlord or Rental Company Proper Notice

When you decide to move, plan on meeting with or informing your landlord or rental company of your decision. If you are unsure of how this process should work, give your lease a check and see when you are legally obligated to provide a written notice to inform your landlord or, if you are breaking a lease, how much it might cost you to do so. The typical timeframe is between 30 and 90 days' notice, so it's crucial to understand how much notice you need to provide. Failure to notify your landlord could subject you to fees or lawsuits, so be sure to set aside a date to contact them.

Once you notify your landlord, take this opportunity to notify your utility providers of the cut-off date so you are not charged for services you are not using.

What should I consider before giving notice to my landlord?

Before giving notice to your landlord, consider your lease terms, the required notice period, and any penalties for early termination. Additionally, assess your moving timeline and ensure you have a plan for utilities and mail forwarding. This preparation will help facilitate a smoother move-out process.

Fix Any Issues That You Might Be Held Liable For

Inevitably, there will be cosmetic issues you need to fix around your apartment, even if you've only been there for a year. This includes holes in the wall from hanging pictures, peeling paint, scuffs, scratches, etc. If you painted a wall, you’ll likely have to paint it back to its original color. Give yourself plenty of time to fix any damages like this prior to your move-out date, as your security deposit could be held as payment, or you could be liable for damages and sued if not paid.

No damage should be too much to fix, though! To repair minor holes from nails or damage, getting some putty and a small can of touch-up paint can solve most issues. The same goes for any scuffs or scratches you might have. Fixing damage like this should be good enough to satisfy your landlord's requirements.

It is also worth noting that if you have any issues with appliances or larger apartment items, such as the HVAC system, get service tickets in or notify your landlord of the problem before your move-out. While these items aren't yours or potentially your responsibility to fix, it is common courtesy. It could be grounds for withholding deductions from your security deposit, as this is something that should have been addressed sooner and could impact turning the unit over to a new tenant.

How Clean Should Your Apartment Be When You Move Out?

As with any damages that aren't fixed, leaving behind an unclean apartment unit can lead to your full security deposit being withheld or charged with an extra fee upon moving out. Be sure to set aside some time before you hand over the keys to deep-clean your apartment. The basic expectation is for the unit to look the same way it did when you moved in. That being said, most apartment complexes will have a unit cleaned or replace the carpets before a new tenant moves in. Still, it is always best practice to clean it before you leave.

Here are some areas that sometimes get forgotten during the final clean (for a complete list, you should review your rental agreement):

• Dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures.
• Removing any cobwebs from ceilings and walls (check the corners).
• Wipe down all blinds and clean all windows.
• Check the walls for any nail holes. You can use putty to patch the walls and paint the areas with matching paint.
• Wipe down the baseboards and door frames.
• Vacuum and sweep all floors.
• Mop any hard floor surfaces and have any carpets cleaned. Pay extra close attention to any stains on the carpets.
• Deep clean the appliances like the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, stove, microwave, washer, and dryer.
• Clean your bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets.

What Happens if You Don’t Clean When You Move Out?

Your lease agreement should outline the consequences of not cleaning your apartment, as well as any other to-dos you fail to complete. Your landlord may recommend hiring a cleaning service, as they will likely hold your security deposit or charge you a fee that could lead to a lawsuit if not paid. Be sure to leave your apartment unit as nice as or even nicer than when you moved in.

Consider Asking Your Landlord for a Pre-inspection

If you are worried that you will miss existing damage that could cost you your deposit, you can request a pre-inspection from your landlord or property manager. This will allow you to make any additional repairs before the final walk-through, and get a sense of what exactly you will need to replace or fix, or if the landlord is going to replace something like the carpet, making it not as big of a need to deep clean.

How to Handle Your Apartment Moving Day

After many weeks of planning, preparing, packing, and cleaning, the big day has finally arrived. Moving day is always a challenging and sometimes emotional day. Be sure to take some time when you have moved everything out to look around one last time to ensure nothing is left behind or needs to be cleaned again. Then, reach out to your landlord to return all your keys and request a receipt confirming that the unit has been vacated.

Prior to your move, be sure to ask your apartment manager for any permissions you might need if your apartment has an elevator or specific parking out front. If you are using a portable storage container for your move, ask for whatever permissions you need to place your container in a suitable location for you and the apartment complex.

Zippy Shell Can Help Make Your Move Easy

Finding a moving company that you can trust and that makes moving easier is also a big to-do you must complete. We here at Zippy Shell understand that no one-size-fits-all solution for moving and storage. Every move is unique, as are its challenges. We've assisted with thousands of apartment moves and can help with yours as well!

Here is how it works with Zippy Shell: You select your preferred date, and we will deliver you a portable storage container that is street-legal and parkable at your location. You can then take up to three days to pack your container at your own pace, allowing you to pack and clean up as you go without having to do everything all at once. When done, we will come out and pick up your container and then deliver it to your new home. We can also store your container for as long as needed in one of our secure, nationwide storage facilities. It is that simple.

We specialize in local and long-distance moves, as well as short- and long-term storage options. We can also provide full-service moving assistance to make your move even easier. No matter where you are going or what you need, Zippy Shell is here to help! Give us a call or go online for a free quote to learn more, and let us make moving and storage simple for you today!