Moving Out? Here’s How to Make It Way Less Stressful

Classes are over, your final exams are either looming or (thankfully) behind you, and now it's time to think about moving out. Some people like to just wing it and hope for the best — but let’s be real, having even a basic plan can save you a lot of headaches. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you survive moving season with your sanity intact.

Give your landlord a heads-up

First thing’s first: let your landlord know you're moving out — and give them your move-out date, too. Check your lease to make sure you’re following all the rules (no one wants surprise fees!). Plus, if you’re planning on renting again soon, you might need them as a reference. Keeping things positive is definitely the move. Oh, and don’t forget: if you’re in an apartment, you might need to book the elevator for moving day — do it early!

time to Declutter

Let’s be honest, you probably have stuff you haven't touched all year. Now’s the perfect time to clear it out. If you haven’t used something in months (or completely forgot you even owned it), it’s probably safe to donate, sell, or toss it. Bonus: the less stuff you have, the easier — and cheaper — your move will be.

Pack smarter, not harder

Before you start randomly tossing things into boxes, think about what you’ll actually need right away. Keep your essentials on top where you can grab them easily. Label your boxes (future you will be so grateful) and group items by room — it’ll make unpacking way less painful.
Pro tip: Hit up your local liquor store for free moving boxes. They usually have a ton and are happy to get rid of them.

Clean lIKE YOUR DAMAGE DEPOSIT DEPENDS ON IT (BECAUSE IT DOES)

If you want to get your damage deposit back (and who doesn’t?), you’ll need to leave your place squeaky clean. If you're the DIY type, plan your cleaning around your move-out inspection — nobody wants to clean twice. If scrubbing floors isn’t your thing, you can totally hire a cleaning service, but make sure you book them early so everything lines up with your move-out date


Plan Your Inspection - and Take ALL THE Pics

Before you hand over your keys, make sure you do a move-out inspection. Better yet, snap a ton of pictures while you’re at it. If there’s ever a disagreement, your pics could save you a lot of cash. Pro tip: getting a third party involved for the inspection can keep things fair and drama-free.

Plan YOUR MovE (BECAUSE WINGING IT = CHAOS)

It sounds obvious, but planning your move properly makes a huge difference. Lock in your move-out date, your move-in date, and figure out where your stuff is going — whether it’s your new place or temporary storage. Line up vehicles (big enough ones!) and a few friends to help out. Trust us, the fewer trips you have to make, the better. Moving at midnight after a full day of chaos? Not it.

DON’T FORGET TO Update Your Address

New place = new mailing address. Make a list of important places you get mail from (banks, school, etc.) and update your info. If you don’t want the hassle, Canada Post offers a mail forwarding service to make sure nothing important gets lost in the shuffle, mail forwarding service


Update Your Insurance

If you have tenant insurance (and seriously, you should), make sure you update your policy with your new address. If you’re buying new stuff or getting rid of things during the move, it’s also a good idea to adjust the value of your coverage. Better safe than sorry!

sort Out Your Utilities and Bills

If you had any utility accounts (like electricity, water, internet) in your name, make sure they’re paid off before you move out. Also, cancel or transfer them so you’re not accidentally paying for someone else’s Wi-Fi after you're gone. This is extra important if you had roommates who are staying behind — you don’t want any surprise bills popping up later.

don’t forget to Return Your Keys

It sounds simple, but when you’re in the chaos of moving, keys can easily get lost or packed by accident. Keep them somewhere safe and make sure you hand them back to your landlord on time. If you made extra copies while you lived there, don’t forget to return those too!

If you have any other ideas or questions, please comment below, contact us or comment on our social media.

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