Checklist · 30 items
Moving out checklist
Updated November 3, 2026
By the end of a move you're exhausted, the truck is waiting, and the empty rooms all look finished. That's when the cupboard above the fridge gets missed, the bathroom window stays open, and nobody writes down the meter reading.
This list covers the last stretch, after the boxes are packed. It's about leaving the place in the state your lease or sale contract expects and keeping a record that proves it. Photos and dated readings are what you'll need if a landlord disputes the deposit two months later.
Tips
Do your photo walk-through after cleaning and before handing over the keys. Once the keys are gone, you can't go back in for a better shot.
Open every cupboard door and leave it open as you check it. A closed door at the end is one you missed.
Count your keys against the number listed in your lease. Missing keys are a common deposit deduction.
Keep the meter photos and room photos in one folder until your deposit is back in your account.
Questions people ask
What should I do on my last day before moving out?
Empty and clean every room, take final meter readings, switch off appliances, close windows, lock the doors, photograph the empty rooms and hand in every key.
How do I make sure I get my security deposit back?
Follow the cleaning and repair terms in your lease, document the condition with dated photos, and attend the move-out inspection if you can. Compare against your move-in photos if you have them.
Should I turn off the utilities when I move out?
Arrange for your accounts to close the day after you leave rather than switching things off at the source. Ask the landlord whether they want the water or heating left on.
Do I need to clean the oven when moving out?
Most leases expect the oven to be returned in the state it was handed over, which usually means clean. It's one of the most common reasons for cleaning charges.
The ones people doubt later
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