What do I need to do when a tenant moves out?
Sarah Duran
Published Mar 12, 2026
Moving out checklist for tenants
- Council Tax. Ensure to contact your local authority and inform them of your moving date and where you’ll be moving to, so they have a forwarding address on file.
- Utilities.
- Change of details.
- Condition of property.
- Remove your belongings.
- Lock up.
- Inform the bank.
- Deposit return.
When tenants move out and leave belongings?
If you leave goods behind on the premises at the end of your tenancy, the landlord/agent may dispose of them after giving you correct notice. The end of your tenancy means you have given the landlord vacant possession of the premises (you have moved out and returned the keys).
Do you have to do a walk through before moving out?
If agreed, the landlord and tenant can waive the 48-hour requirement. The tenant can request to be present during the inspection.
What happens at end of tenancy?
If the tenants move out at the end of the fixed term, the tenancy ends. It will no longer exist. The tenants no longer have any liability under the tenancy and the landlord no longer has any right to charge rent. Landlords often get upset about this if the tenants have moved out without giving them any notice.
How long can someone leave their belongings at your house?
A person can leave their property at your house indefinitely if they have your permission to do so. After giving the person a deadline to pick it up and not having a person pick up their property, the stuff they left behind is generally considered to be abandoned.
When should I schedule my final walk through?
Timing and Scheduling a Move Out Inspection Waiting until a tenant has removed all of their possessions from the unit means no damage can be hidden and the landlord can clearly see any potential issues. In other states, a move out inspection can be done anywhere from three days to two weeks before a tenant’s move.
Do landlords have to give notice at end of tenancy?
Your landlord only needs to give ‘reasonable notice’ to quit. Usually this means the length of the rental payment period – so if you pay rent monthly, you’ll get one month’s notice.
What to do if someone has your belongings and won’t give them back?
You can go to the police and file a criminal complaint for theft of property. List and identify the items to the best of your ability. You can also sue in a civil court for the return of your property or the value of the items if not returned plus punitive damages.
