Moving house is always a trying time, no matter what stage in life you’re at. Whether you’re moving from one rental to another, heading home to parents, or selling up to buy another property, there’s just so much to think about.
For this reason, it pays to plan ahead and for Leicester students, that means being fully prepared in the weeks before moving out day to avoid deposit deductions and last-minute panics.
Most student moving-out periods take place this month, with a final date of 30th June, so, to give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a handy moving guide to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.
When to start packing to move out of your student property
It’s a really good idea for students to start packing up their Leicester student property at least 1-2 weeks before the end of their tenancy. A great place to begin is with the things that you know you won’t use in the next couple of weeks, such as winter coats and knitwear, old books, spare pairs of shoes, extra bedding and towels etc.
Have a really good think about what you won’t need and get it packed up in labelled boxes, so that, should you find out you actually do need something, it won’t be a pain to find it.
While packing things up, make sure to separate out the essentials, such as toiletries and clothes that you know you’ll wear, to make sure they don’t get caught up in the mix and then pack up as much as you can to avoid last-minute rushing.
Get your property clean and up to scratch
Packing up your belongings in good time will give you plenty of opportunity to make sure that your student property is clean and tidy before you leave for the summer. After all, the last thing you need is to lose your deposit because it wasn’t left in good condition.
Break down cleaning responsibilities room-by-room (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, communal areas) and if you’re in shared accommodation, try to divide up the jobs fairly to ensure everyone does their bit. Watch out for common mistakes to avoid and remember the following:
- Clean inside appliances, such as microwaves, ovens, fridges and freezers. Make sure that any unwanted food is removed, too.
- Clean out cupboards and make sure they’re empty.
- Get rid of any limescale build-up or scum that’s around sinks, baths and showers.
- Clean toilets thoroughly and use bleach inside the toilet basin.
- Look out for areas where there might be hidden dirt and rubbish, such as behind the sofa and under beds.
Remember the final steps before you go
Once you are satisfied that all your stuff has been packed up and the place has been left in a good condition, then there are a few final things to check off the list. Remember the following:
- To ensure all rubbish is removed from the property
- To take meter readings before you leave
- Take photo evidence of the condition of the property, in case this is disputed
- Return the keys to the landlord or student lettings office
- Confirm any forwarding addresses for mail
By taking these steps, you will help to ensure that the deposit you paid for your student property is returned to you in full and of course, that the property is left in a reasonable state for the next people to move in.
Find Your Next Student Home in Leicester
If you’re planning to return as a student next year and are still looking for the perfect property, then we can help you secure high-quality student accommodation in Leicester with safe, well-managed housing and supportive tenancy processes. Get in touch with a member of our team today for more details.