Moving is a lot of work! It is also often an exciting time. Some tips for planning your move are listed below.
Giving notice when moving
Giving notice when moving – If you are renting and plan to move from your current home to a new one, you will need to let the landlord know in advance. You should give as much notice as possible, and in most places, you are required to give 2 months’ notice. For example, if you are moving on June 1 you will need to let the landlord know by April 1.
The landlord will want to inspect the unit either right before or right after you move. Be sure to fix anything that is not part of normal wear and tear, and be sure to clean the unit thoroughly. This will help to ensure that you can get all of your security deposit back. It is best to be with the landlord when they inspect the unit.
Notifying utilities
When you move you will need to notify utility companies so they can turn the utilities off at your current home and turn them on at your new home. If you are moving to a different county that has a different utility company, you may need to pay a deposit again.
A list of possible utilities you will need to change includes:
- Electricity (Power)
- Water and sewage
- Gas
- Internet
- Cable TV
- Telephone
- Trash/Waste Removal
- Recycling
- Home security
You’re advised to give advance notice to your current utility companies at least three weeks before your move date to ensure that you get service on the dates you need.
When to disconnect utilities when moving? Your best option is to schedule the disconnection of your current utilities 1 day after you move out of the home and then arrange for connection at the new place 1 day before you move in.
If you have trouble arranging the transfer or change of all your utilities before your move date, it’s good to prioritize water and electricity set up so you will have these essentials in your new home.
Getting your security deposit back
The landlord must return a tenant’s security deposit plus interest, less any damages rightfully withheld, within 45 days after the tenancy ends.
Information about security deposits from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office can be found at the link below. This link also has great information on tenant’s rights and avoiding disputes with landlords:
Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disputes
The landlord must put the security deposit in an escrow account. When returning security deposits of $50 or more, the landlord must include simple interest. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has a Rental Security Deposit Calculator on the bottom of the page on its website at
Department of Housing and Community Development
Security deposit disputes often involve misunderstandings about when the landlord is entitled to keep the security deposit, and disagreements about whether the tenant caused damage to the rental unit.
If the landlord withholds any part of your security deposit, they must send you a written list of damages, with a statement of what it cost to repair the damages, by first-class mail to your last known address within 45 days after you move out. If the landlord fails to do this, they lose the right to withhold any part of the security deposit.
You have the right to be present when the landlord inspects your rental unit for damages at the end of your lease, if you notify the landlord by certified mail at least 15 days prior to moving of your intention to move, the date of moving, and your new address. The landlord must then notify you by certified mail of the time and date of the inspection. The inspection must be within five days before or five days after your move-out date. The landlord must disclose these rights to you in writing when you pay the security deposit. If not, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the security deposit for damages.
Security Deposit and Eviction
Your rights and duties are different if you have been evicted for breach of the lease, or have left the rented property before the lease ended. Under these circumstances, you should send a written notice to the landlord by first-class mail within 45 days of being evicted or leaving the property. This notice must advise the landlord of your new address and request the return of your deposit. Once the landlord receives the written request, they must take certain steps.
The landlord must send a list of damages to the rental unit and costs incurred to repair them to you by first-class mail within 45 days. If the landlord fails to send you a list of damages, they forfeit the right to withhold the security deposit.
The security deposit, plus interest, less any damages rightfully withheld, must be returned within 45 days of your notice.