5 Steps To A Stress-Free Move From A Rental Property

Moving out of your rental flat or house can be a stressful time. You have a lot to do in a short space of time. And your focus is on getting all your deposit returned. If the house isn’t clean or if you have damaged something, it could end up costing you a lot of money. But the moving out process doesn’t have to be difficult. You can plan and execute a move with minimal fuss.

Here’s where to start when leaving flats to rent in Essex and what to do to streamline the move.

Give Enough Notice

If you know that you are moving out, follow the correct procedure to alert your landlord to the situation. Check the contract as there will be a notice period and instructions on how to let your landlord know. If you are getting near to the end of the tenancy, the agent will be in touch to find out if you want to continue living in the property. They need as much notice as possible if you are planning a move.

Be Prepared to Give Viewings

Depending on how quickly the landlord wants someone else in the property, you may need to allow people into the property to look around. You will be given notice for when these viewings will take place. You don’t need to conduct the viewing if your property is managed by a landlord or agent, but it helps if you can make the transition period easier by offering information or your positive views if needed.

Change Your Address

Notify everyone that you are moving, as soon as you can, so you don’t get any overlap with mail going to the wrong address. Think about the people that have your current address, including the council, the utilities firms, your bank, your employer, and official bodies like the HMRC. You can usually change most things online. Ensure you keep the final bills for utilities and keep meter readings so you can dispute any extra charges if necessary.

Clean Thoroughly

This will take a bit of time but roll up your sleeves and get busy cleaning the property. Your deposit is usually linked to the state of the flat or house you rent. You are obliged to leave the property in the same condition as it was when you moved in. Your inventory will give details of what that state was. Often you are required to professionally clean the carpets, or even the entire house. Your contract gives details of these specifications. Book cleaners in advance for a better price and availability. Don’t underestimate how much work cleaning a flat or a house will take. Of course, it is more efficient to clean when you have moved all your furniture and belongings out, so it helps if you have a crossover period when you are renting two properties at the same time.

Get Moving

Now, you can either do all the moving yourself or hire someone else to do it for you. This depends on your energy levels and your budget. Look online to check out prices for removals firms and try to book in advance when you can.