Keys and Moving Day: A Simple Checklist

How do I hand over the keys and get through moving day?

Hand over every key, remote and code at closing, or when your contract says the buyer takes possession. On moving day, leave the home empty and clean, and keep a short checklist so nothing is forgotten.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

Your contract says when the buyer takes possession. Read that date and time, and ask us if anything is unclear. We tell you in advance exactly when and where the keys are handed over. If you need a few extra days to finish moving, that has to be written into the contract. Do not rely on a casual agreement.

• All keys, including front door, back door, garage, mailbox, shed and any storage unit
• Garage door remotes, key fobs and building access cards
• Alarm, lockbox and smart lock codes, with a note on how to reset them
• Manuals and warranty papers for appliances, if you have them
• Any paint cans left for touch-ups, if the buyer agreed
• Parking passes, gate openers and community pool or amenity cards, if your home has them

If you live in a condo or townhouse community, also ask the association what it needs back from you. Some buildings reserve the elevator for move-outs, so ask about that early.

Take everything the contract says you are keeping, and leave behind what the contract says stays. Sweep, wipe counters and empty the trash. Check closets, the attic, the garage and the shed. Turn off lights and close all windows and doors. Take a photo of each room and of the utility meters. Those photos are a simple record of the day you left.

Before you go, also:

• Set the thermostat to a normal level for the season, so the pipes are safe in cold weather.
• Reset or clear smart devices, such as doorbells, thermostats and locks, from your account.
• Ask each utility company for a stop date on your account, and confirm the buyer will start service.
• Throw away or recycle only what the trash service accepts, and take paint and chemicals to a proper drop-off.

Change the locks or reset the codes. Check that the heat, water and electric are working. Do the final walk-through before closing, so any concern is raised before you sign. Confirm with your mover where the truck can park, and ask the building about elevator times if you are moving into a condo.

File a change of address at the official USPS Change-of-Address site. Online requests need identity verification, which includes a $1.25 fee, and the billing address on your card must match your old or new address. Once the request is approved, USPS says to allow at least 7 to 10 business days for it to take effect, so file early. USPS says standard forwarding lasts 12 months, and you can pay to extend it. First-Class Mail is forwarded at no charge. Magazines and newsletters are forwarded for 60 days if the sender has fully prepaid.

Mail forwarding does not update your bank, insurance or subscriptions, so change those yourself.

The Virginia DMV says you have 30 days from the date of your move to tell it about your new address. For vehicles, it asks you to return your old decal to the Commissioner of the Revenue in your old locality and contact the Commissioner of the Revenue in your new locality for a new decal. The DMV says this prevents the old locality from assessing personal property taxes on your vehicles. Take a moment to plan this before moving day, so you are not scrambling later.

Get written estimates from more than one mover. A careful company looks at your belongings or asks you to describe them fully before it gives a price. Make sure each estimate lists all your items, then compare them side by side. Read everything before you sign, and do not sign anything with blank spaces. Ask how a mover handles damage, and ask for the answer in writing. If a company asks for a large payment in cash up front, treat that as a reason to look elsewhere.

Read Declutter Before You Move: Keep, Donate, Sell and From Accepted Offer to Closing in Virginia. If you are selling, The White Glove Home Sale Method includes removal of unwanted items and furniture, and taking donations to the charity of your choice, at no additional cost to you.

Do I need to clean before I leave?
Leave the home clean and empty, as your contract describes. We can walk you through it.

What if I find a key I forgot after closing?
Tell us right away, and we will help you get it to the new owner.

Should I keep a copy of my keys?
No. Hand over every copy you have.

Call or text Claudia at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.