Uni Moving Out Checklist: What To Do Before You Leave Your Unite Students Home And How To Pack

Unless you're staying with us over summer, it's almost time to move on. Checking out is a straightforward process if you know what needs to be done. You also don't need to dread packing away everything you've acquired throughout the year, you could be packing faster and lighter with less stuff to lug home and extra cash in your pocket.

Uni Moving Out Checklist: What To Do Before You Leave Your Unite Students Home And How To Pack

Unless you’re staying with us over summer, it’s almost time to move on. Checking out is a straightforward process if you know what needs to be done. So, here’s what you need to tick off when moving out of uni accommodation. You can find all the finer details at our checking out page, but let’s look at the basics.

1. Clean the flat

You’re responsible for cleaning your room and the shared areas before you check out. After you leave, we’ll inspect the flat and compare its condition to the details on your check-in report. You need to leave your flat or house in the same condition it was when you moved in, otherwise you risk added costs.

If we have to clean or make any repairs after you’ve left, we could charge you and your former flatmates unless somebody accepts full responsibility. Remember, you could be charged for anything that’s left behind. So make sure your room and the flat are completely empty before you move out of uni accommodation.

Arrange to deep-clean the flat with your flatmates when moving out after uni before you go your separate ways.

2. Sort out your stuff

Moving out of uni is the perfect excuse for a clear-out. One of the easiest ways is to sort your things into three piles: keep, recycle, and donate. This’ll mean you’re only moving the things you really want.

We make it even easier for you to donate items when you’re moving out. Grab a British Heart Foundation bag at reception and donate your useable but unwanted things at the donation point before you go.

If you’re coming back to uni next year and don’t want to lug bigger items home just to bring them back again next term, you can store them with our storage partner LOVESPACE.

Read more: Moving out? Donate your stuff and help save lives

3. Pack your bags

Whether you’re using black bags, boxes, suitcases, or a combination of the three, make sure you pack up before moving day. One top tip is to pack a smaller bag with things you might need on the journey or as soon as you get home, like your phone charger, laptop, toothbrush or even a spare pair of pants or socks.

That way you won’t be searching through all your boxes and bags for them, and you can unpack at your leisure.

Read more: Store your things with LOVESPACE, the storage people who collect and deliver.

4. Make a move

Ask your reception team about your checkout day and time. Generally, it’ll be 12pm on the last day of your tenancy but this can vary between properties. Your reception team can also tell you when and where you can park the car or van on moving day, if you’re using one.

When you speak to reception, ask for your checkout envelope and form. Just fill in the form and put it into the envelope along with all your keys, fobs and passes (including your post box key). Drop it off at reception as you leave.

Make sure you update your preferred home address and email address on the ‘My Account’ section of our website, under ‘Personal Information’ before you move out of uni, too.

Read next: Everything else you need to know about checking out (including information about your deposit, if you paid one)

How to pack when moving out of university

It’s not rocket science, right? Grab some bags and shove the stuff in. Well, with a bit more effort, you could be packing faster and lighter. You could have less stuff to lug home, extra cash in your pocket, and you might even help to save a life.

Here are 13 ways to make packing up and moving out a breeze.

1. Get rid of unwanted things

First things first, decide what you actually want. Think you can get some cash for your unwanted things? eBay, Vinted and the like are a great way to find out.

Otherwise, grab a British Heart Foundation bag from your reception and donate your unwanted things to charity before you move out of uni. Find out how to donate your stuff and help save lives when you move out.

2. Sort your seasonal stuff

Now you’re just left with the things you need. But with the weather warming up and a break from studying on the horizon, you won’t be needing some of those for a while.

Your winter coat, chunky jumpers, woolly hat, gloves, scarf - keep these things together so they can go straight into storage at home.

3. Wrap anything sharp

You’ll want some bubble wrap or lots of newspaper if you’ve got picture frames, mirrors, crockery, cutlery, chopping knives. Basically, anything that’s sharp - or would be sharp if it got smashed - should be tucked up in some bubbles.

4. Label with a Sharpie

Write on the side of the box what’s inside before you move out of uni. It’ll make it easier to position fragile things in the car, and easier to unload when you get home.

You can do this with your bags as well - just put a couple of strips of masking tape on them and use it as a label to write on.

5. Use black bags for clothes and bedding

It’s by far the easiest way to get your soft, fabric items home. A roll of black bags won’t cost much, and they’re easier than boxes to squeeze into small spaces in the car. Just remember to double-bag if you’re filling them to the brim.

If you’re really limited on space, vacuum pack bags are a genius solution for things like duvets and chunky knitwear, but they can be more expensive than trusty black bags.

6. Trust your blue IKEA bags

They’re virtually indestructible, can be used again and again, and cost just 75p. Having a stash of IKEA’s big blue FRAKTA bags will pay off massively at moving out of uni time. Especially good for transporting textbooks and dirty laundry.

7. Box up everything else

Ask at supermarkets and corner shops for boxes they’re getting rid of. Even small ones will be useful. Light stuff goes in big boxes, heavy stuff in small boxes. And if you’re mixing, put heavier items in the box first.

8. Reinforce open edges with brown tape

There’s more to building a box than putting a strip of tape where the bottom flaps meet. Seal the bottom flaps to the sides of the box too, with tape that goes right along the edge and around the corners. It’ll make the whole thing much stronger and easier to carry.

9. Pack anything you don’t need first

Get a head start by packing anything you won’t be using again before you leave ahead of time. Kitchen stuff, pictures and mementos, decorations - if you won’t need it at home, get it packed early.

Make a uni moving out checklist so you know exactly what you’ve already packed and what still needs to be sorted.

10. Collect free newspapers for packing

You’ll still want to bubble wrap glass, breakables, and anything sharp. But collect a couple of free newspapers too - they’ll fill the empty space in a box and stop your things clattering around.

11. Roll your clothes

Clothes take up less space if they’re rolled instead of folded. Plus, they won’t get as creased. A handy, space-saving tip whether they’re going into boxes, bags, or suitcases.

12. Stuff small items in your shoes

Socks, pants, jewellery, pens. Anything that can go in a shoe should go in a shoe. Another little space-saver you won’t regret when moving out of uni.

13. Wrap anything that might leak

Liquids, lotions, oils, and powders are a packer’s nemesis. Surely we’ve all got a holiday horror story involving shampoo in a suitcase? If it could leak or spill, wrap it in cling film or seal it in a plastic bag.

Back in September? Store items with LOVESPACE

If you’re coming back to uni next year and don’t want to lug bigger items home, you can store them for the summer with LOVESPACE.

They’ll collect from (and deliver back to) your accommodation and, if you live with us, you get an exclusive discount. Find out more about secure and hassle-free storage with LOVESPACE.