Home Maintenance Moving Checklist: To-Do Before and After Moving

There are many things to check around the house before you move. Our Home Maintenance Moving Checklist will help keep you on track.

Smoke Alarms and C02 Alarms

These alarm batteries should be replaced twice a year. A good rule of thumb is to replace them every spring and fall during the time change. Spring Forward, Fall Back, and Change Your Batteries!

Before Moving:
Make sure the smoke alarms and C02 alarms are still in working order. if not, be sure to let the new tenants know so they can replace them. You may want to replace the batteries if it’s been a while, or you can inform the new tenants that they should do so when they first move in.

After Moving:
Ask the previous tenants when the batteries were last changed. You may also want to replace the batteries with new ones yourself anyway, just to be safe.

Central Air Conditioner

The filters on your air conditioning system should be changed every 3 months. Mark it on your calendar so you don’t forget.

Before Moving:
Check the last time the central A/C filter was changed. Whether it was recently or not, you should inform the new tenants so they will know when to replace them.

After Moving:
Ask the previous tenants the last time the filters were replaced. If you can’t ask the tenant, it’s probably safer to replace them yourselves just in case.

Exterior Venting

Dryer vents, unlike all other exterior vents, don’t have a screen covering the opening. This is to avoid the fire hazard of lint build up. Birds like to nest inside this venting, so it’s especially important to check it regularly.

Before Moving:
Check the vents and clean out any debris. The new tenant might not think to do so, and are often overwhelmed with all the other moving related tasks. It’s important to leave a safe and clean house for the new tenants, and exterior venting is part of that.

After Moving:
Check the vents in your new house. You don’t know when the last time the previous tenants cleaned them out. Better safe than sorry!

Bonus tip: Print this blog post and use it as a checklist. Did any of these tips help you out? Let us know in the comments

This is part 3 in our Summer Moving Series:
Part 1: 5 Tips to Safely Pack a Lawn Mower for a Move
Part 2: Packing Patio Furniture: What Moving Supplies Will You Need?
Part 3: Home Maintenance Moving Checklist: To-Do Before and After Moving
Part 4: Moving Tips for Summer Heatwave Safety