There’s a lot to remember when leaving a rental property. You may have to organise the removalists, disconnect utilities, clean and pack – just to name a few of the many tasks.
This guide may help you keep a few crucial steps in mind.
Give notice to your landlord
When you decide to move to a new house, you’ll likely have to notify your real estate agent or landlord. Check your lease terms to confirm your notice period and other details. Remember, every state and territory has different legislation.
Get support if things get complicated
If you have questions or need clarification on your contract or situation, speak to your agent or a lawyer. Alternatively, you may be able to seek advice from your state or territory’s help services, such as tenant-focused organisations.
Update your insurance
If you have contents insurance— sometimes called renters insurance —check that your address details are correct and up to date to continue insurance at the new property. Doing this in advance can help ensure you’re covered at your new place from day one, but make sure you still have cover at your old place until you’ve left.
Moving time is also an excellent opportunity to review your contents sum insured. It’s when you might buy new furniture or downsize. So, reviewing and updating your sum insured with how much it would cost to replace your home contents is a great idea.
The GIO Contents Insurance Calculator can help determine how much coverage you may need for your belongings.
Try our Contents Insurance Calculator
Get your house ready for the move
Check your rental condition report
If the rental property is managed by an agent, they use this document to help assess the condition of the place at the end of the tenancy. Note every crack, dent and smudge. It’s also a good idea to have timestamped photos of every room in the house before hand over the keys.
Cleaning the property at the end of your tenancy
It’s better to do this after the move, but it’s a good idea to make a plan before the removalists arrive. Decide whether you will clean the house yourself or hire an end-of-lease cleaner, which usually requires booking in advance. Check your rental agreement as you could be charged a fee if things aren't up to scratch.
Moving house and moving insurance
Most of us have more stuff than we realise. Even minimalists can have a bit of heavy furniture and a few white goods. Unless you have access to a van or ute, you may need to hire removalists.
If you have GIO Contents Insurance and you're permanently moving to a new address in Australia, we offer cover for your contents for loss or damage while they're being moved. Covered events include:
- fire (including bushfire)
- flood
- collision, overturning, accident or theft of the vehicle carrying your items.
Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the applicable limits and exclusions and full details on GIO Home and Contents Insurance.
Explore Home and Contents Insurance
Disconnect your utilities
Your provider may need about a week’s notice to disconnect your power. Check for any disconnection fees or charges for ending your plan earlier than agreed.
Generally, electricity and gas providers can connect your new place to power in three days, however, check connection wait times with the provider. Don’t forget to organise new service connections or address transfers.
Attend final inspection
You may want to attend the final inspection to make sure you’re on the same page about potential issues and be able to discuss any wear and tear.
Once you hand over the keys and no longer have access to the property, it may be difficult to obtain supporting evidence for any issue.
Claim your bond
The bond claim form, or bond release form, is typically completed after the final inspection. However, the exact steps for this vary by state and territory.
For information, refer to the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) where you reside.
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Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
