The agent will work with you to itemize your property, take serial numbers or videotape it for any future claims. Insist on move-out protocols . Once you're ready to move to a new place, pull out the damage list from your current home and make sure the landlord or property manager does a check-out inspection with you. You should thoroughly clean the apartment, including floors, ceilings, closets and cupboards, and behind appliances. If you decide to steam-clean the carpeting yourself, save the receipt to show the property management and prove that it was done.
Some properties provide a cleaning checklist and spot inspections before check-out.
Notify utilities and the post office. To prevent an interruption of telephone service or cable, notify your local and long distance telephone service and cable company of your change of address. Then pick up a mover's guide from the U.S. Postal Service containing a change of address form. Most mail will be forwarded from your old address for up to a year. But use the enclosed Address Change Notification Cards to alert catalog mailers and others of your new address.