Here’s our ultimate cheatsheet for moving out of your rental property

Article by Sinead Clarke Marketing Specialist 10 April 2024

The prospect of move-out day is something we often block out of our minds until the time rolls around, due to the stress and sense of overwhelm that the process can bring. From making sure you’re legally complying with your rental agreement, to organising the removal of your belongings it’s no wonder the process becomes such a headache. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, with a bit of forward planning and organisation it can turn the process into an exciting one that symbolises new beginnings. 

On average Australians move a total of 13 times in their lives, meaning that the process is one we’d benefit from mastering. That’s where we come in as we’ve created the ultimate cheatsheet for moving out of your rental property! Think of this as your guide for everything related to vacating, to ensure that you don’t miss a beat. With that being said, let’s get into it.

Make sure you give adequate notice

This is the best place to start as oftentimes tenants get themselves into hot water for not giving their landlord adequate notice of their intentions to move. In New South Wales tenants are typically required to provide 21 days’ written notice of their intention to vacate. Similar can be said of the other Australian States and Territories, however, this notice period may vary depending on the specific terms of your tenancy agreement. So we recommend digging out your agreement or contacting your Property Management to get accurate information. 

On the flip side, if your landlord has asked you to vacate they must give you between 30 and 90 days’ notice depending on the reason for termination, or 14 days’ notice due to breach of tenancy agreement in New South Wales. For more information on your notice periods and rights as a tenant in New South Wales, we recommend consulting Fair Trading here.

Notify change of address

Once you’ve officially made your intentions to vacate known you can begin work on moving out and into your new place. While this is arguably the most boring step of the process, it’s best to get out of the way from the get-go. Since so many people overlook it and have to deal with the complications of it well after moving out. We’re talking about notifying your change of address of course. But who do we notify? 

It’s best to contact Australia Post, your bank, Medicare, Department of Transport, state and local governments (if you’re moving states or electorates), ticket-purchasing websites, grocery delivery companies and any delivery subscription services. In most cases you can change your address details online, so we’d suggest carving out an hour to complete this. After all, no one wants their groceries or new bank card being delivered to their old place!

Declutter and deep clean a month out

While the previous step may have been the most mundane, this one is definitely the most time-consuming but arguably the most important. Decluttering and deep cleaning are some people’s idea of heaven and a nightmare for others. However, we recommend viewing it as an opportunity to refresh and renew before starting a new chapter of your life. While this may sound slightly dramatic, viewing it as a transformative experience can make the task more enjoyable. 

So carve out a day to give your home a deep clean, as well as donate any items that may not have a space in your new place. When deep cleaning don’t forget to give the oven, home exterior and ceilings a good wash as these spots are often overlooked. Also, use the opportunity to get rid of any scuff marks on the walls, give the bathroom grout a freshen-up and de-weed the backyard. If you require any repairs to be made that may interfere with you getting your bond back, it would be advantageous to let your Property Manager know at this stage.

Sort out moving logistics

Moving your belongings is certainly the most costly part of the move-out process. Should you hire a removalist company? Should you conduct the move yourself to save money? These are both valid questions. When it comes to removalist companies prices vary substantially from business to business so we recommend gathering quotes in advance. From here you can compare services and pick the option that suits you and your budget!

Pack up belongings and conduct a final inspection

Packing up your belongings can be one of those tasks that seem relatively straightforward in theory, but can become more time-consuming and overwhelming the further you get into the process. To prevent this from being the case we suggest creating an inventory sheet of everything that’s coming with you, and packing a little bit each day to make the task seem more digestible. When it comes to packing supplies make sure that you’re being thoughtful with what you’re packing. For example, glassware needs to be wrapped, and hanging clothes put into closet boxes. 

Once you’ve packed your life into a few boxes, give yourself a big pat on the back before consulting your Property Manager for one final inspection. This exit inspection serves as a way for your Property Manager to ensure the place is in tip-top condition and allows you the opportunity to provide any feedback on the property and your tenancy.

Get your utilities disconnected

While this step is only applicable if all inhabitants of your rental are moving out, it’s extremely important that you don’t forget it. Make sure to contact your electricity, water, gas and internet suppliers before the move-out date to get everything disconnected, ensuring that you’re not paying for the new tenant’s utilities once you’ve moved on. If you have gas bottles at your property it’s also best practice to ensure that these are filled up before the big day.

Get your bond back

After your exit inspection, it’s time to focus on getting your bond back. Unless there is damage to the property or you owe your landlord money, your bond will be reinstated upon leaving the property. Reasons why you may not get all of your bond payment back in New South Wales include: 

• Unpaid rent 
• Repairing damage to the property that is beyond reasonable wear and tear 
• Unpaid water usage charges 
• Any fees for breaking the lease early 
• The cost of cleaning if the property wasn’t cleaned
• The cost of having the locks changed if keys weren’t returned

While it’s unlikely that you’ll run into any issues or disagreements surrounding the bond payment, it’s ideal to be prepared in case. In this rare case, you’ll receive a written notice from Fair Trading and you’ll have 14 days to dispute the claim, from here the tribunal will decide how the bond will be paid. For more information on how to get your bond back, you can read our helpful article here.

Want to make the move-in process just as smooth as move-out? Read our complete renting guide here.

Disclaimer:

Tenants should consider conducting their own research and seeking professional advice regarding move-out notice periods and bond refunds. 

PropertyMe is not a financial adviser. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation, or other advice to check how the information relates to your unique circumstances. 

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