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Cleaning can be overwhelming. Whether you're tackling your daily chores or taking on a deep clean, cleaning can be tiresome and quickly lead to a loss of motivation. To make things easier, we've complied a complete list of things to take care of to achieve a complete clean.
Cleaning your apartment thoroughly for move-out not only decreases the chance of some of your deposit being used to hire a cleaning service, but it also keeps you from leaving items behind. Download and print our Apartment Move Out Checklist to be prepared for your apartment move-out inspection.
In addition to cleaning, there are a few other items you'll need to take care of when moving out including changing your address, scheduling an end to your utilities, and more. View our 8 Things to Do Before Moving Out of Your Apartment article for further information.
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Looking for the right apartment can be stressful, overwhelming and sometimes, frustrating. There are so many details to keep track of. From contact information to important details such as deposit and rent amount, pet policies, and other lease information. All the while, you're trying to plan a move! Let us help you control the chaos.
We created a printable worksheet to help you keep the information organized in one spot. Save the 1,531 sticky notes. Delete the screenshots of apartments you aren't even interested in anymore. This worksheet will help throughout your apartment hunt.
HOW TO USE THE APARTMENT HUNTING WORKSHEET:
Use this worksheet to track the apartments you are considering.
- Fill out contact information for the apartment office for easy contact down the road for more questions, scheduling a showing, or finally setting a move-in date.
- Consider highlighting the features that are non-negotiable. What things MUST you have in your next apartment home?
- Check off or write down the important details as you go on showings or reach out for more information.
- Make sure to use the "other" section for things that are important to you that aren't already on the list.
Using this worksheet will not only keep the stress down, you'll be able to make a better decision about your next home, and you'll be able to make it faster.
DOWNLOAD YOUR APARTMENT HUNTING WORKSHEET.
More Reading:
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You've been apartment hunting for awhile now. You've finally found a few you want to visit in person so you have schedule appointments to take a look. Are you prepared? Knowing what to expect before you arrive can help make the most out of your showing.
Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your apartment showings.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AHEAD OF TIME?
Start an Apartment Hunting Worksheet – How many apartments have you been looking at? Do you remember off the top of your head how much rent and the deposit is? Do you remember which has a garage and which has reserved parking? Does one include heat, but not another?
Use our downloadable worksheet to keep the apartments you are looking at organized. Review your list before the showing so you have the details fresh in mind. Highlight features you must have and the amenities that would be nice to have. Make notes during your showing to keep your thoughts organized. You'll thank yourself later when reviewing the information.
Prepare a list of questions – Maybe the apartment listing didn't mention details about utilities or maybe you have specific needs regarding your lease terms. Apartment showings can go by fast, and you'll be focused on looking at the apartment rather than the details. Make sure to make a list of questions before you arrive to ensure you get the answers you're looking for and you don't forget important details.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Valid Photo Identification – Apartment offices will want to get a copy of your photo ID before taking you to out of the office to view an apartment. They're making sure if anything happens, someone knows who they were with. Don't take it personally; this is for their safety.
Required Application Information – Do you think you will sign a lease after you look at the apartment? If there is any possibility you will apply for the apartment, tyou should bring certain documents with you to make the application process go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
1. You already have your photo ID, right? Good – You'll need it.
2. The addresses and phone numbers of previous rental agencies/landlords. You'll be asked for rental verification so you'll need to provide the contact information for any rental references for the past few years. If you lived in a private residence prior such as a dorm or a family member's home, that's ok!
3. Pay stubs- For the income verification portion of your application, you'll need to provide your last two consecutive pay stub from your current employer(s).
Bank Account Information– If you think you may put in an application for the apartment, bring a checkbook, bank account information, and a credit or debit card. If you wish to put down a deposit or set up online banking, you should be prepared with all required and helpful information.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Now that you have what you need in order, check out our list of things you should know before moving in to help you make the big decision when selecting your next home.
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We know your goal is to get your security deposit back when you move. You spend your time scrubbing, wiping and washing everything; yet there are things almost everyone forgets to do before their move out inspection. While they’re easy to take care of, many are often overlooked and can result in unwanted charges. We don’t want you to forget these super easy tasks!
Here are the 5 common things that people typically forget to do before their move out inspection.
1. INSPECT SMOKE ALARMS
Make sure all smoke alarms are intact and the batteries are working.
2. DON’T DO ALL REPAIRS
While you may think you can avoid charges by filling holes left by screws or nails yourself, often the opposite is true. If you improperly fill the holes, you can result in additional maintenance charges for fixing and refiling.
3. OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE
If the following areas have been your responsibility to maintain while living in your apartment or townhome, don’t forget to mow your lawn and shovel and/or sweep your sidewalks, steps, driveway, and garage.
4. CHECK FOR EVERYTHING
Leaving behind your belongings in the apartment or garage may result in charges for hauling and discarding of items. Make sure to properly dispose of your things. Not all items can be thrown in the building dumpster.
5. CLEAN BEHIND APPLIANCES
Don’t forget to pull your fridge and oven away from the wall and cabinets to sweep and mop underneath and behind. A lot can collect in the nooks and cracks over a year!
OTHER REMINDERS:
- It is in your best interest to be present for your move out inspection.
- Forgot to grab your silverware or empty a drawer? Bring a extra bag with just in case!
- Make sure you complete the tasks on our Move Out Checklist before moving day!
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Moving can be a busy and stressful time in your life. You have so many things going on from packing and cleaning to signing paperwork and coordinating help on moving day.
We compiled a list of things people often forget to do when they are moving out of their apartment. This move out checklist will guide you through important steps you should take before handing over the keys.
1. SCHEDULE A MOVE OUT APPOINTMENT
Contact your apartment community office a few weeks before you move to schedule a move out appointment. At your move out appointment, you'll walk through your apartment with a leasing team member to assess cleaning condition and any damages. It is recommended that you are present for your move out appointment so you are aware of the results.
2. UTILITIES
Your utilities will need to remain on and in your name until the end of your lease responsibility, regardless of when you actually move out. Contact the utility company to tell them when to switch it out of your name. Make sure to provide a forwarding address for final billing.
3. CHECK YOUR MAIL
Make sure you check your mail one last time before handing over your mailbox key.
4. CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS WITH THE POST OFFICE
Complete a change of address form with the post office to ensure your mail will be forwarded to your new home address. You can go to your nearest post office, or better yet, change in online right now before you forget! Find the online form here: https://moversguide.usps.com/mgo/disclaimer
5. PROVIDE A FORWARDING ADDRESS
Want to get your deposit back quickly? Give your new address to your apartment community office to make sure your deposit check, and any other important information gets to you quickly.
6. RETURN ALL KEYS
As mentioned before, you'll turn in all of your keys at your move out appointment. Make sure you have any and all keys ready to hand over. This includes any key fobs, all keys for your mailbox, controlled access doors, and if applicable, all of your roommate's keys.
7. DON'T FORGET YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER
In addition to your keys, don't forget to return you garage door opener. Garage door openers can often be left in your vehicle and get forgotten when moving out.
8. STOP AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS
If you have set up an online automatic payment service, make sure to cancel your payments after you have paid your last month's rent to stop automatic future payments.
9. SET YOUR HEAT
If you are moving out in the winter months, do not turn off your heat! Rather, set the heat to approximately 60 degrees or at the bottom of the 'comfort zone' indicated on your thermostat.
10. STRATEGICALLY PACK THINGS EARLY ON
By packing up things you don't use often, you can reduce your stress when it comes to the final days before the move. Use the last few days to pack up the things you use often.
Getting all of these things checked off of your list will ensure you are more prepared to move, and we all know being prepared lessens stress! For more tips to reduce moving stress, check out more articles on our blog.
Download our Move Out Checklist for keep track of all the to do's during your move out!
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