Tenant’s Moving Checklist

When it comes to moving into your new rental property, having a thorough tenant moving checklist can make all the difference.

Below is our tenant moving checklist to help you prepare to move out of your rental property and into another.

Ensure your rental property is clean

Start thinning out your possessions. Now is a great time to have a clear out of any unwanted furniture or items you no longer have a use for. Clear out each room and box up everything you are moving with you. Then, re-home or dispose of anything that you no longer want.

Ensure all personal belongings have been removed from the property, including loft spaces, sheds, garages, cupboards and outdoor areas. Landlords may charge for the removal of items left behind.

Carry out any minor repairs that are your responsibility, such as replacing blown light bulbs, replacing missing items included in the inventory, and addressing any minor damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear.

Ensure you have organised the cleaning of your old property. Either start doing it early, if you are doing it yourself, or enlist the services of a professional cleaning company.

Read through your existing tenancy agreement and ensure that you have adhered to it.

How the end-of-tenancy cleaning is to be done may be stipulated in your tenancy agreement. Therefore, check what you are required to do at the end of your tenancy.

Important admin to remember

Utilities and household services

Inform all utility companies that you are moving out of the old property. Request any final bills and settle them in full. Have evidence that you have paid the bills to hand, should the landlord require proof.

Take final gas, electricity and water meter readings on the day you move out and provide them to your utility suppliers. Furthermore, photograph the readings as evidence in case of any billing disputes.

Contact your broadband, telephone and television providers to arrange cancellation or transfer of services to your new address.

Inventory and property checks

Locate and review your check-in inventory, as you will need this as a point of reference when your check-out inventory is conducted. If you can, do a check of the property prior to the inventory clerk running theirs. That way, you don’t get caught out by any nasty surprises. Establish which items you are responsible for and which are the responsibility of your landlord.

Tenancy deposit

Have information regarding your tenancy deposit scheme to hand. You should have been informed at the start of your tenancy which scheme the deposit was being held in.

If you’re renting privately, you may have to contact the scheme yourself to start the process to release your deposit. Once you have agreed a refund amount with any deductions, if applicable, with the landlord, you can continue. If you are renting through an agency, they will sort this for you.

Once the tenancy has ended and any proposed deductions have been agreed, landlords are generally expected to return deposits promptly through the relevant tenancy deposit scheme. If you disagree with any deductions, you may be able to use the scheme’s free dispute resolution service.

Updating your address

Ensure you let all relevant parties know about your change of address.

Arrange a Royal Mail redirection service to ensure any post sent to your previous address is forwarded to your new home.

Arranging your move

Confirm your move-in date with your new landlord. To help make the move along and give you comfort, try to give yourself some overlap time. In this way, you have time to manage everything you need to.

Ensure you arrange your move. There are a few options to choose from:

• Full removals and packing (find a good removals company to transport your belongings)
• Move only
• Man and van
• Self move

Make sure there is sufficient space to park at both the old and new properties for the removal van.

If you need it, book storage space for any surplus belongings you have that won’t come with you to the new property.

Make sure you take out contents insurance or transfer it from the old property to the new. Ensure that it covers your possessions in transit between the two properties. Also, arrange for it to start at the new property from the day you move in.

If you require it, don’t forget to book some time off work in advance of your move.

If possible, arrange to attend the check-out inspection with the landlord, letting agent or inventory clerk so that any issues can be discussed and resolved immediately.

The moving day

Here are a few important things to remember for the day of your move from one rental property to another:

• Take photographs of the gas, electricity and water meter readings before leaving the property.
• Unplug all appliances that remain at the old property, as you don’t know when the next tenant will be moving in.
• Ensure any smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms provided with the property remain in place and are in working order.
• Lock all the windows and doors. Also, arrange to drop off all sets of the old property’s keys with the landlord or letting agency.
• Photograph the old property you’re leaving as proof of how you left it.
• Attend the check-in process for your new property.
• Request copies of your new property’s EPC and gas safety certificates from the new landlord if they haven’t provided you with them.
• As you don’t know how many sets of keys are in circulation at your new rental property from previous tenants, it might be worth requesting from the agent (or landlord directly) if the locks could be changed. You could even offer to share the cost of doing this.
• Photograph the new property you’re moving into as proof of how you received it.
• Retain copies of photographs, cleaning receipts, utility bills and correspondence with the landlord or letting agent until your tenancy deposit has been returned in full.

Last Updated: June 15th, 2026