By Kate Whitby

There is so much to think about when one moves home and we appreciate that the process can be chaotic. To try and help the process along and make it as stress free as possible, Kate Whitby of Savills Rickmansworth and Northwood Lettings, provides a check list of things tenants should think about before moving out.

1. Contact the local authority council tax department to let them know of your moving out date and forwarding address.

2. Contact utility providers to close down your account (make sure they do not disconnect the service – unless specified by the landlord). These will include:
- Water & Sewage
- Gas
- Electricity
- Telephone and Broadband
- Media Services including Sky or Cable
- TV licence
- Key holders for the alarm

3. Contact anyone that may hold personal details for you to provide a change of address including:
- Banks
- Building Society
- Insurance Company
- Doctor & Dental Surgery
- DVLA for motor insurance and driving licence
- HMRC
- Credit card providers
- Magazine subscriptions
- Friends and Family It is a good idea to set up a Royal Mail redirection service. https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection

4. Check the inventory and ensure all items are returned to the same place as was noted at time of check-in. This is particularly important if the property was let furnished. If you find there are items missing or any damage in the property, inform your agent or landlord before the check out to see how best to replace/repair the items.

5. Your contract will require the property to be returned in the same condition which you took it on and you may need to arrange for:
- windows to be cleaned inside and out
- gutters to be cleared
- chimneys swept
- upholstery, curtains and linen, dry cleaned
- property to be professionally cleaned, including carpets
- the garden to be clean and clear of garden waste In order to arrange for the work to be done as close to check out as possible, you may need to contact contractors up to a month in advance. Receipts for all work should be handed to the inventory clerk at check out.

6. Remember to:
- De-scale taps
- Clean the soap drawer in the washing machine and leave the door open
- Remove fluff from the tumble dryer
- De-frost fridges / freezers and leave turned off with the door open
- Don’t pack the grill handle!

7. Make relevant arrangements to ensure all your belongings have been removed from the property. This may include booking a removal service or sourcing packing boxes.

8. Find all keys, label them clearly and ensure they are returned at point of check out.

9. Return any gate, garage and alarm fobs as these are often missing and are costly to replace.