My Iona

Moving In and Moving Out

Moving In To-Dos

  • Take pictures of the apartment (video is even better) before you move in to document the damage in the apartment upon arrival.
  • Complete a thorough written inventory of the apartment's condition and have the landlord or an impartial witness sign the inventory as well.
  • If any damage to the apartment needs to be fixed before you move in, get a list of the work that will be done and the completion date in writing from your landlord.
  • Plan ahead! Talk with your roommates about who will bring what. And make sure the furniture you plan to bring fits up the stairs, through doors, etc.
  • Think it through. Who will help you? Are you hiring a moving company? Are you recruiting friends and family to help with the move? Where are you getting your boxes from?
  • Decide upon a move-in time with your roommates. It's easier if you all move in together when making decisions about storage and furniture placement.
  • Don't leave your car open or your apartment unlocked during move-in. This is a high theft time.
  • Take your time and stay hydrated, especially during the summer months.
  • Be careful! Don't scratch your walls. Damage done to the apartment will cost you money.
  • Bring cleaning products to clean furniture, bathrooms, floors, etc. before putting your stuff away.
  • Ask your apartment manager or leasing company where to dispose of trash and boxes. (Recycled boxes from grocery stores can have bugs. Make sure you dispose of them right away).
  • Return your rental truck on time to avoid paying for an additional day.
  • Park legally to avoid tickets or towing as you unload your car/truck!
  • Meet your neighbors. Give them your name and contact information in case they ever have a problem and in case of emergency.
  • Explore the neighborhood. Learn where the police station, post office, pharmacy, fire department, hospital, etc. are located. Also, find out about the areas of public transportation.
  • Have fun building the community off-campus!

Moving In Budgeting

Items that you should budget for when moving into your off-campus rental:

  • First month's rent
  • Security deposit
  • Pet deposit
  • Painting/redecorating deposit
  • Last month's rent
  • Application fee
  • Utilities deposit
  • Furniture/decorations
  • Movers
  • Rental truck
  • Gas
  • Boxes/packing supplies
  • Storage
  • Shipping charges

Moving Out

So it is time to move out! It might seem easy, and you might be eager to move on. But there are actually a number of things to keep in mind before you pack up and go!

  • Know when your lease ends, the date you must move out, and/or the date you must renew your lease by. Also, know how much notice you must give your landlord. It is usually listed in your lease. The standard notice is 1-3 months. If you do not have a lease, 1 month is expected.
  • You must give your notice based on the date you pay the rent. If you intend to move out on July 15, but you pay rent on the 1st of each month, you would need to give your notice on June 1. It would be up to your landlord to decide if you need to pay all of July's rent.
  • Put your notice to move out in writing. The letter should include the current date, your name, your current unit address, your current phone number, the date you intend to move out, your future address, and your future phone number. Send this letter certified with return receipt requested.
  • Request a walk through of your apartment with your landlord to ask what needs to be fixed or cleaned. If he/she refuses you this, ask (preferably in writing) what is required before you move out. Do you have to paint? Have the carpets cleaned?
  • Prepare to pack up. You may need the following items: boxes, packing materials, tape, rope, plastic bins, dolly, cleaning supplies, a vacuum, a steam cleaner, and spackle.
  • Get help! Plan who will help you move or decide on hiring a moving company. Visit the Better Business Bureau for referrals.
  • Remove all personal items from the dwelling. Thoroughly clean it. Keep receipts for cleaning supplies, steam cleaner rentals, etc. Make sure you clean and/or fix any of the items your landlord told you about during your first walkthrough.
  • Take a video and/or pictures of your apartment. Have a friend with you when you do this.
  • Ask your landlord to take another walk through with you. Complete your move-out checklist (on the same form as your move-in checklist). Have your landlord sign and date it.
  • Return your keys in person. A landlord can charge you until the keys are returned or he/she can charge you for a lock change. You can ask the landlord to sign and date a statement saying you returned the keys.
  • Ask your landlord the specific date you can expect your security deposit returned. A landlord must return your security deposit, less any deductions for damage, in a reasonable amount of time. Send any requests or problems in writing to your landlord via certified mail with return receipt requested. If your landlord will not return your security deposit, contact the Office of the State Attorney General at (914) 422-8755

Sample Agreements & Notices

Even off-campus students have roommate problems. When you sign a lease with someone it’s not easy to leave your agreement and/or find a new place to live mid-year. Start the year off on the right foot by having conversations with your roommate(s) before you move in, once you move in, and then throughout the year. Discuss some of the below standards to set clear and honest expectations and guidelines for your living experience.

Each roommate should sign this and receive an original copy. Iona University takes no responsibility for roommates not following the guidelines of the agreement or any liability that might result in this agreement. This is merely a tool to assist off-campus students to be modified as needed and to promote conversation.

For assistance from a neutral facilitator filling this out or mediating a roommate conflict, please contact the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at (914) 633-2243 to schedule an appointment.

Sample:

This agreement made on (date) is an agreement between: (roommate's name), (roommate's name), (roommate's name), and (roommate's name), roommates living at (address), New Rochelle, NY 10801.

The terms of the agreement begin on (date) and end on (date). I understand and accept written responsibility for this agreement.

Rent, Charges, and Fees

I understand that I, as an individual, and we, as a group, are responsible to the landlord/manager, utilities companies, and each other. We agree to the rules and conditions of the lease. And each tenant shall pay ONE/(number of tenants) of the following expenses:

  • (amount) rent by (date) of each month.
  • (amount) telephone services
  • (amount) electricity
  • (amount) water
  • (amount) cable/internet
  • (amount) heating oil/gas
  • (amount) security deposit
  • (amount) utility deposits
  • (amount) other

Any late fees will be incurred by the person(s) making the late payments.


Moving Out

Each person will remain a resident on the premises and pay his/her portion of the above fees until the term of the agreement ceases unless a roommate is given written permission by the landlord/manager to sublet and finds a person to replace him/her. All roommates should accept the person sublet to unless an unreasonable cause exists. The subletter remains responsible for the apartment/fees if this person defaults in any way.

I will take responsibility for any damage done to the apartment that I cause. I will either repair this damage prior to moving out or refund the security deposit to my roommates for the amount deducted for the damage. Otherwise, the remainder of the returned security deposit will be equally returned to each renter.

I agree to the following arrangements regarding:

  • Food/Shopping:
  • Cleaning/Responsibilities:
  • Orderliness/Tidiness:
  • Garbage Removal:
  • Exterior Maintenance:
  • Privacy:
  • Sharing Personal Items:
  • Borrowing Money:
  • Smoking/Drinking/Drugs:
  • Parties/Entertaining:
  • Overnight Guests:
  • Pets:
  • Furniture/Appliances:
  • Noise:
  • Other:

When I have a problem with something occurring in the dwelling, roommates agree to communicate with each other by: (mode of communication).

As a party to this agreement I realize that I, as well as each of my roommates, have equal right to the use of the space and facilities in the dwelling with the exception of the areas we have designated as individual’s private space. The agreement is intended to promote positive communication, mutual expectations, and respect.

Resident’s Signature & Date
Resident’s Signature & Date
Resident’s Signature & Date

This letter is a sample only and is intended to be used for reference purposes. Please refer to the terms and conditions specified in your individual lease when composing a notice to move out letter. It is recommended that you consult with a real estate attorney or agent before sending and that this letter be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested.

Sample:

Date:

Landlord’s Name:
Landlord’s Address:
City/State/ZIP Code:

Dear (Landlord):

Please accept this letter as written notification of my intent to vacate the premises located at (rental property address) on (date), in accordance with the lease agreement. I will return my keys to you on (date) at (address).

Landlords have the right to deduct from the security deposit only for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. Therefore, I would like to inspect my premises in your presence in order to document the condition of the property and make sure you are satisfied with its condition. Please contact me by (date) at (phone number) to schedule a convenient inspection time. .

Furthermore, I request the security deposit in the amount of (security deposit amount) be returned to me within thirty (30) days of the lease expiration. This notice is being sent on (date) and therefore shall serve to notify you that my security deposit of (security deposit amount) should be returned by (date). Please forward the security deposit to the new address listed below.

Cordially,

Tenant Name(s) and Signature(s):
Address:
City/State/ZIP Code:

Forwarding Address:

Phone Number:

Cc: Copy retained for tenant records

This letter is a sample only and is intended to be used for reference purposes. Please refer to the terms and conditions specified in your individual lease when composing a notice to repair letter. It is recommended that you consult with a real estate attorney or agent before sending and that this letter be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested.

Sample:

Tenant Name(s):
Tenant’s Address:
City/State/ZIP Code:
Date:

Landlord’s Name:
Landlord’s Address:
City/State/ZIP Code:

Dear (Landlord):

As a follow up to the information shared with you by telephone/email exchange on (date) this letter constitutes as notice of the following conditions presently existing at the apartment located at: (address), which are in need of repair.

List of Conditions which Must be Remedied:

(Optional) During our phone conversation/email exchange you shared that these repairs would be made by: (person/company) on (date).

You are required to keep this rental unit in a fit and habitable condition and to make all repairs. Your failure to maintain this unit in a safe, decent, and sanitary condition means that you are in violation of your landlord obligations and the terms of the lease agreement.

Please note New York law prohibits any landlord from retaliating against a tenant by threatening eviction, decreasing services, or increasing rent because the tenant has engaged in a protected activity, such as complaining about dwelling conditions.

Thank you for your cooperation. I am sure you will take care of these conditions so that no further action is necessary. Please call me at: (phone number) to arrange a mutually convenient time to make these repairs.

Cordially,

Tenant Name(s) and Signature(s):
Address:
City/State/ZIP Code:

Cc: copy retained for my records