Moving Out

Moving Out Checklist

You can download this handy checklist to help you keep track of what you need to do when moving out of your accommodation.

Thigs to consider include:

1. CHECK your tenancy agreement or Accommodation licence agreement to see what it says about what you need to do when moving out and what your obligations are – this may include cleaning, returning keys and closing accounts, you don’t want to be caught out!
   
   
2. PAY: Make sure all fees and rent are paid, any rent arrears can affect renting and buying a house later. If you are in private accommodation don’t forget to close and settle any bills accounts such as gas, electric, broadband and water before you leave, so you don’t get charged for anything you are not responsible for or receive interest. Take your final meter readings before you move out.
   
   
3. UPDATE your address. It might help to do this a few weeks before you move so you don’t miss any post. Also, remember to cancel or redirect any subscriptions. Don’t forget to tell the University as they may have important information to send to you before the next Academic year – update your contact details in MyRecord.
   
   
4. CLEAN: Work together to remove all items including rubbish and clean thoroughly. Don’t forget to check the kitchen and fridge for food and empty the bins, so your landlord does not charge you for this. It may specify in your tenancy agreement that you need to get a professional clean before you go.

You can download this handy checklist to help you keep track of what you need to do when moving out of your accommodation.

Your deposit

If you are in private accommodation, your landlord should write to you if they want to make any deductions from your deposit, if you had one. If you have a joint tenancy with other housemates talk to each other and work together to make sure you all leave the house in a good condition. Some wear and tear can be expected, guidelines on fair wear and tear can be found here.

Your tenancy agreement will outline when you can expect to get your deposit back. If the deductions are reasonable and you agree, you simply email back and let them know.

If you don’t agree, don’t feel pressured to accept it. You can try and compromise with your landlord yourself, but you can also have your case passed to the deposit protection service. You can find out more about disputing your deposit here. They can return any monies that are undisputed whilst further investigation takes place.

If you feel that your landlord or estate agent is asking for an unreasonable amount from your deposit and would like advice, you can make an appointment with the Community Liaison Manager.

Let’s talk rubbish!

We appreciate that when moving out extra rubbish can be generated but we want to work with you to reduce the impact this can have on the community, encourage reusing, recycling and proper disposal where possible and ensure your moving out goes smoothly.

All the information you need to know about what goes in what bin, when the bin collection dates are and how to recycle are on your local council’s website:
Canterbury
Medway

Working in partnership, we are helping to make it easy to dispose of, recycle and donate any of your unwanted items. You can:

• Make packing easier by donating your unwanted stuff. The Students’ Union are teaming up with the British Heart Foundation to make it easy for students to dispose of possessions they don’t want to take home. Look out in your Halls of Residence for donation boxes or donate here.

• Left over tinned or dried food – think about donating to the local food bank. They have collection points in the Chaplaincy and in all the main supermarkets in Canterbury.

• For excess rubbish, please book a slot at the local tip or contact the council for bulky waste removal.

• Medway students can donate household items, bedding, clothing, and books to the Medway Bargain Corner, Pilkington Building on or before 12 June, which will help new students arriving in September. Contact Lynne Martin, the Medway Campus Chaplain, for more info.