What to do before you move
The weeks before moving day are when you prevent most problems. Start by giving your current landlord written notice on the date your lease requires — typically 30 days, but check your lease or local law, as some places require 60 days. Send this notice by email or certified mail so you have proof of when you sent it. At the same time, contact your utility companies (electric, gas, water, internet, phone) and ask when you can disconnect. Most need at least a week's notice.
Next, research your new place. If you are renting, request the move-in inspection form from your new landlord and ask when you can walk through the unit before taking possession. Take photos or video of the condition of every room, closet, and appliance — this protects you if the landlord later claims you caused damage you did not. If you are buying, your closing attorney or title company will handle most legal steps, but you should still arrange a final walk-through 24 hours before closing to confirm agreed-upon repairs were done and fixtures you negotiated for are still there.
Change your address with the U.S. Postal Service through their website or at your local post office. This takes about a week to take effect. Notify your employer, bank, insurance companies, subscription services, and any government agencies that send you mail. Create a list as you go — you will miss some the first time, and mail forwarding catches most but not all.
Key Takeaways
- Give written notice to your current landlord on the date your lease requires, and keep proof you sent it.
- Photograph or video the condition of your new place before move-in day so you have evidence if disputes arise later about damage.
- Disconnect utilities at your old place and connect them at your new place at least one week before you need them.
- Update your address with the post office and notify banks, employers, and insurance companies in writing so mail reaches you.
- Document what you own and what condition it is in before the moving truck arrives, especially if using professional movers.
Preparing your belongings and choosing movers
Decide what you are taking and what you are leaving behind. Moving costs money — whether you hire movers or rent a truck — so selling, donating, or discarding items you do not use saves both money and space. List items of real value (electronics, furniture, jewelry) and their approximate condition. If you hire professional movers, you will need this list to file a claim if something breaks.
If you are hiring movers, get written estimates from at least three companies. A legitimate moving company will send someone to see your belongings in person or ask detailed questions about volume and weight — estimates given over the phone without seeing what you own are often wrong. The estimate should list what is included (packing, loading, unloading, distance) and what costs extra. Ask whether the price is binding (they cannot charge more) or non-binding (they can). Read online reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Google, but focus on recent reviews and look for patterns, not single complaints.
If you are renting a truck yourself, reserve it at least two weeks ahead during peak moving season (May through September). Confirm the truck size matches what you need — most rental companies let you return it early if you overestimate. Check the truck's condition before you leave the lot and photograph any existing damage so you are not charged for it.
Handling your lease and security deposit
Before you leave your old place, schedule a move-out inspection with your landlord if your lease allows it. Walk through together and document any damage beyond normal wear and tear. Take photos of the condition you are leaving it in. This inspection protects you because it creates a record of what the landlord saw before they deduct from your security deposit.
Clean the unit thoroughly — most leases require you to return it in clean condition, and landlords often deduct cleaning costs from deposits. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom, where grime is most visible. If you caused damage (a hole in drywall, broken blinds, stained carpet), repair or replace it before you leave. It is usually cheaper than the deduction the landlord will take.
On your final day, turn in all keys and take a photo of the empty unit with the time and date visible. Send your forwarding address to your landlord in writing — they are required by law in most states to send your deposit refund there within 30 to 45 days. Keep this written request as proof you provided the address. If you do not receive your deposit within the timeframe your state requires, send the landlord a written demand for it. If they do not respond, you may have the right to sue in small claims court for the deposit plus penalties; check your state's tenant rights office for the exact rules.
Utilities, services, and address changes
Coordinate the disconnect date at your old place with the connect date at your new place so you are not without power or water. Most utility companies need at least three to five business days' notice. Schedule disconnects for the day after you move out, not the day you leave — you may need to return to clean or retrieve forgotten items. Schedule connections for the day before you move in or the morning of move-in day.
Contact your internet and phone providers separately from utilities. Internet especially can take one to two weeks to install, so order it as soon as you have a confirmed move-in date. Ask about any early termination fees at your old address — some providers charge if you cancel before your contract ends, though many waive fees if you are moving.
Update your address with your car insurance, health insurance, and auto registration. Some states require you to update your driver's license within a certain number of days of moving — check your state's DMV website for the important date. Notify your employer's HR department, your bank, credit card companies, and any loan servicers. These changes prevent mail from going to the wrong place and protect you if something goes wrong with your accounts.
Moving day and arrival
On moving day, do a final walk-through of your old place before the movers leave or before you return the rental truck. Check every closet, cabinet, and drawer. Look in the garage, basement, and attic. Take a photo of each empty room. This is your final note to catch anything you forgot.
When movers arrive at your new place, walk through with them as they unload. Check that large items match what was on the estimate and that nothing appears damaged. If something is broken or missing, note it on the moving company's paperwork before they leave — most companies will not honor damage claims filed after they have gone. If you rented a truck, return it on time and with a full tank of gas to avoid extra charges.
Before you unpack, photograph the condition of your new place again — this time with your belongings in it — to establish what was already there versus what you brought. This matters if you ever need to prove you did not cause damage when you move out.
After you move in
Take the move-in inspection form your landlord gave you and walk through the unit room by room. Note any damage, stains, or broken fixtures that were already there. Return this form to your landlord within the timeframe your lease specifies — usually three to five days. Keep a copy for yourself. This document protects you because it proves the damage existed before you moved in and cannot be charged against your deposit.
Test all utilities and appliances. Turn on every light, run the water in every sink and shower, check that the stove and oven work, and confirm the refrigerator and dishwasher function. If something does not work, report it to your landlord in writing when ready. In most states, landlords must repair essential services like heat, water, and electricity within a specific timeframe — often 24 to 72 hours for emergencies.
Update your address with any remaining services: your doctor, dentist, veterinarian, gym, subscription boxes, and any organizations you belong to. Check that mail is reaching you at your new address by watching for a few weeks. If mail is still going to your old address after the postal service's forwarding period ends, contact the sender directly to update their records.
Keeping records and protecting yourself
Create a folder — digital or paper — with copies of everything related to your move: your lease, the move-in inspection form, photos of the unit's condition, utility disconnect and connect confirmations, proof you gave notice to your old landlord, and any communication with movers or your new landlord. Keep receipts for any repairs or cleaning you paid for at your old place. These documents protect you if disputes arise about your deposit or if you need to prove you followed your lease terms.
If you hired movers and something was damaged, file a claim with the moving company within the timeframe they specify — usually 30 to 60 days. Provide photos of the damage and the item's condition before the move if you have them. Keep all communication in writing so you have a record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do I have to give my landlord before I move?
Most leases require 30 days' written notice, but some require 60 days or more. Check your lease for the exact number. Some states also set a minimum notice period by law. Send notice by email or certified mail so you have proof of when you sent it, not just when you told your landlord verbally.
What if my landlord keeps part of my security deposit?
Request an itemized list of deductions in writing. Your landlord must explain what they deducted and why. If the deductions seem unfair — for example, charging you for normal wear and tear instead of damage you caused — you can dispute it. Send a written demand for the full deposit or the amount you believe is owed. If your landlord does not respond, you may be able to sue in small claims court; check your state's tenant rights office for the exact rules and timeframe.
Do I have to use a professional moving company?
No. You can rent a truck and move yourself, ask friends to help, or hire day laborers. Professional movers cost more but handle packing and liability for damage. If you move yourself, you are responsible for damage to your belongings. Whatever method you choose, get everything in writing and keep records of what you own and its condition before the move.
What if utilities are not connected when I arrive?
Contact the utility company when ready and ask for an emergency connection or a temporary solution. If the company made an error, they may prioritize you. If you made an error with the order date, ask if they can connect you the same day or next day. Keep records of all communication. If you end up without essential services through no fault of your own, document this — it may matter if you later need to withhold rent or break your lease.
Can I move out before my lease ends?
Only if your lease allows it or your landlord agrees in writing. Breaking a lease early usually means you owe rent through the end of the lease term, though some states allow landlords to "mitigate damages" by finding a new tenant and reducing what you owe. Check your lease and your state's tenant laws. If you have a legitimate reason — domestic violence, military deployment, uninhabitable conditions — some states allow you to break a lease without penalty; contact your state's tenant rights office to learn what applies to you.