What to do when leaving a rental property

Moving out of your rental property can often be stressful, so we’ve put together a practical guide that covers everything you need to do before and after handing over your keys.

Give notice

Give your landlord or letting agent appropriate notice that you are leaving the property. If you’re wanting to end the tenancy early, some landlords or letting agents could potentially make an exception and let you leave before the end of your agreement. Always be sure to check this first.

Your landlord should always give you notice too when new tenants are coming to view the property, as this allows you to prepare and be present.

Cancel your utilities

As your moving out date approaches, contact your utility providers to let them know and give them your new address. This includes your gas, electricity and water suppliers as well as broadband, TV and mobile phone networks.

You should also notify your bank, employer, insurance companies and the DVLA, along with the local council and any healthcare providers like doctors and dentists.

Do a deep clean

To make sure your rental property is in the same condition as when you moved in, give everywhere a good clean. If your tenancy agreement says that a professional clean is required, then arrange a suitable time for this to be done before you leave.

If you’ve moved any furniture or other household items that belong to the landlord, put them back in their original place once you’ve packed away your own things. This gives you the chance to see if any minor repairs are needed.

Complete a check-out inventory

After removing all of your possessions, complete a check-out inventory with your landlord or letting agent to ensure you are both happy with how the property looks. They should not charge you for normal wear and tear. You can also take photos for evidence.

Have one last look around to check that nothing has been left in any cupboards or drawers, before closing all windows and doors. Once that’s done, you can hand over your keys.

For your gas and electricity providers, take meter readings and contact them with the information. This way they can calculate a final bill or tell you whether a refund is due.

Get your deposit back

Once you’ve moved out, request your deposit back from your landlord or letting agent. If you’ve agreed on any deductions for damages, these will be removed. You also have the right to challenge anything you don’t agree with in the check-out inventory.

The final thing to do is cancel the standing order for your rent. As long as you’ve made your final payment and no money is owed, this can be done directly with your bank.

Renting can be complicated, but Co-op is here to help. To discover more about what we offer or to get a quote, visit our renters insurance page.