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Step 8 - Things to do before moving in and out
Moving in day
Great, you are ready to move in. Here are some tips to make moving in day as smooth as possible:
- Use a good removal firm - seek recommendations from friends or use Rightmove's removal quotes service. Look for members of the British Association of Removers who operate under a strict code of conduct.
- Try to avoid Fridays which is the busiest day
- Save time and cost by doing some of the packing yourself
- Check out the best value utility contracts for your new property well in advance and read your meters on moving in day
- Redirect post well beforehand
- Prepare a standard letter to notify utility providers, banks and anyone else who needs to know what your new address is
- Take out contents insurance to protect your possessions
- Set up your standing order to pay rent so it's in the agent's or landlord's account on time.
Moving out day
Before you move out, there are lots of things to do - many are just the opposite of what you should do on moving in day.
To make sure you get your deposit back, please re-read our section on 'Deposits and Inventories' carefully.
Here's our quick checklist:
- Allow lots of time to clear everything out
- Get large, bulky items disposed of - some councils need up to a month's notice
- Put furniture back in its original place
- Thoroughly clean the property back to its condition when you moved in
- Tidy gardens
- Repair damage you've caused or replace items that cannot be made good
- Be there when the check out inventory is being done.
- If no inventory is undertaken, make one yourself, taking care to itemise everything and its state and condition. Take photos where possible. Sign and date the inventory and send it to the landlord or agent
- Keep receipts for cleaning and any items that you have had replaced
- If the deposit is not returned or if you feel deductions are unfair, contact the administrator of your tenancy deposit scheme.
Renting in Scotland
There are some differences if you are renting a property in Scotland. Here, all landlords have to be registered in a scheme, there is currently no tenancy deposit scheme and more shared privately rented HMO properties have to have a license.
For more information on renting in Scotland, visit the Better Renting Scotland website.