Preparing to Vacate Your Property

Preparing to Vacate Your Property 

If you are soon to be vacating your rental property, please follow the list below to ensure a smooth checkout!

Thorough Cleaning  

It is essential that the property is left in the same condition as was given to you (with the exception of normal wear and tear). Check the terms of the tenancy in your tenancy agreement as sometimes there are circumstances where the landlord requires you to undergo a professional clean of the property on checkout, for example they might have agreed for you to have a pet on this proviso. Areas to consider include:

Cleaning the windows inside and out

Full clean of the oven

Full clean of the extractor hood and its grease filters (these are removal for washing in most cases).  Some extra hoods have paper filters - these will need to be replaced.

Bathrooms - tile grouting to be clean and free of mould, thorough clean of toilet, basin and bath.  Remove limescale from taps, shower screens etc.

Clearing out the gutters

Sweeping out the chimney

Ensuring the garden is maintained and tidy - lawn cut, weeds removed, shrubs/hedges cut back.

Defrost your freezer and mop up any liquid

Manage Your Utilities  

Contact your local authority and inform them of the date you will need to pay your Council Tax up until.

Contact your utility suppliers to include water, sewage, electricity, gas, telephone and broadband, media services and TV License and let them know you will be leaving. Once you have checked-out you can provide the meter readings to officially close your account (this is also done by your Letting Agent if the property is managed by one). Utilities include water and sewage, electricity, gas, telephone and broadband, media services and TV license. If you have an oil tank or propane gas cylinder this should be topped up to the same level as it was when you moved in.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN IF YOU MOVE OUT OF YOUR PROPERTY EARLY, YOU ARE STILL LIABLE FOR THE BILLS UNTIL THE AGREED TERM ENDS* 

Amend Your Details 

Inform your bank (you may need to cancel standing orders relating to the property), insurance company, doctors, DVLA, HMRC and any other contacts of the move. Consider arranging Royal Mail redirection.

Lock up 

Make sure any documentation that was given to you relating to the property such as instruction manuals for built-in appliances or a top-up card for the gas meter remains in the property for the next tenant. Ensure you have all the keys you were given and return them to the Managing Agent upon checkout.