MR HOME GUY USA · MASTER TECHS SINCE 2008
What Should I Fix or Remove Before Moving Out of a Rental?
Start with your lease, the property manager’s move-out instructions, and any photos you took when you moved in. Clear your belongings, confirm what to do with anything you installed, and ask which wall repairs or touch-ups the property manager wants you to handle. Book pickup for bulky items early. Do the final clean after the rooms are empty and any agreed repairs are done.
Your rental move-out checklist
1. Confirm what stays
Make a list of additions such as TV brackets, shelves, curtain rods, and window coverings. Compare that list with your move-in photos and ask the property manager what they want left in place. Get the answer in writing before you schedule removal or give anything away.
2. Agree on what to fix
Take a wide photo and a close-up of each area you’re unsure about. Ask what to do with picture-hook holes, larger mounting holes, scuffs, or peeling paint. If the manager requests touch-ups, ask for the paint color and sheen before buying supplies. Report recurring stains or unexplained damage so management can decide how to assess it.
3. Schedule bulky-item removal
Decide which items are going with the movers and which need a separate pickup. Confirm that the pickup provider accepts each item, including any mattress or box spring, and ask where it should be collected. If you’re in a condo or apartment building, check whether the pickup crew needs an elevator reservation or loading access.
4. Clean, photograph, and hand back the keys
Once the last load is out, check closets, cabinets, storage areas, and any parking space that came with the unit. Finish the cleaning specified in the move-out instructions, take dated photos of the empty rooms, and confirm how to return keys, fobs, and remotes.
Example — A TV mount, a mattress, and a Friday handoff
Suppose you added a TV bracket, have a mattress to get rid of, and need to return the keys Friday. Send management a photo of the bracket and ask whether to remove it and how they want the holes handled. Book mattress pickup before the final clean and confirm where the crew should collect it. Once the rooms are empty, check the unit against your move-out list and photograph it before the handoff.
If a pickup falls through, ask management about an approved backup before leaving anything at the curb or in a common area.
Not sure what to remove or repair before handing back the keys?
Bring your move-out instructions, a few photos, and the date you’re returning the keys. We’ll help you make a practical list of what to clear, which jobs to schedule, and what to confirm with the property manager first.
$39 · 20-minute virtual appointment · Book online 24/7 · Available nationwide — Mr. Home Guy USA
ConsultRelated move-out and disposal guides
- How do I plan a move into or out of a condo or high-rise?
- How do I get rid of a mattress or box spring before moving?
- What can I donate and what needs to be hauled away?
- What should I schedule before moving out of state?
- Browse city moving and home-sale prep guides
Check out our A Walkthrough Checklist Before You Hand Back the Keys blog