During the bustle of moving out, it may be easy to forget certain tasks that need to be performed. And depending on how long you had lived in the premises, you may have forgotten what items - if any - you and your landlord had agreed upon when you moved in. The following are a few reminders.

• Disconnect utilities: It is your responsibility if you had them hooked-up. The landlord will not call the company for you.

For example, you don't want a credit company to call you in a few years and say that you owe a power company $???.??

amount of dollars for three years of service - after you had moved out! It has happened before.

• Cleaning the premises is an important aspect of the moving out process. Your security deposit can also be held in the event the landlord needs to hire a professional cleaning company to clean the premises after you've left. Here is a checklist for Moving Out.

The Nova Scotia Tenancy Act does not cover inspections, but they are a means for the landlord to determine the condition of the apartment as compared to when you moved in. The inspection process is also a means of protection for you, and your security deposit.

For more information:

• Disconnecting your utilities
• Cleaning your apartment, and
• Preparing for the Post Inspection

When it comes time to move out, the responsibility to disconnect the utilities will lie with the person in whose name the bills were paid. For example, if two roommates decided that the bills would be paid in roommate #1's name, and then roommate #1 is responsible for having the service disconnected. If that person happens to be yourself, be sure that everyone keeps up to date with their share of the payments, otherwise, you are stuck with the ending bill, and no definitive way to prove that anyone else owes money.

Most companies will not charge to have a service disconnected, only a set up fee. If, however, you are late paying your bill and the service is interrupted, they will charge you a fee to have the service re-connected. Information will be included on your bill about contacting the service provider for any reason. When you speak with the representative, mention the date you plan to move out, and together you can decide when to have the service disconnected.

Important!

Always disconnect the service before you move out. If you leave a service in your name, no matter how long, you will be responsible for having the bill paid on time! Even if someone is moving in immediately after you, have the service disconnected so the following tenants can have the service set up in their name.

When you are getting ready to move out, you must clean the apartment, otherwise, the landlord may choose to keep your security deposit to cover the charge of having it cleaned professionally. The cleaning process needs to be detailed and thorough. For example, did you and your landlord decide on any cleaning procedures when you moved in?

Such items may include, but are not limited to:

• Repainting the apartment
• Shampooing the carpets
• Washing the draperies
• Thoroughly cleaning the kitchen appliances, and sinks (including bathroom sinks and fixtures)
• Removing stenciling or wallpaper, including trim
• Repairing any damages to the wall from thumbtacks, nails, etc.

If you painted the apartment - with the landlord's approval - you may need to repaint it before you move out. Be sure to follow procedures when you are cleaning your apartment. If the landlord specified, in writing, that s/he wanted something done a certain way, they may charge you for discrepancies.

Most landlords will require you to shampoo the carpets before you move out. You can usually rent shampooers from any major grocery store. Try to do the shampooing a day or two before the inspection - that way, most of your belongings will be out of the way, and it will give the carpet time to dry before the final inspection.

You may choose to hire a cleaning company to take care of the process for you. If you choose this route, be sure to clear it with your landlord first! And make sure that they understand exactly what needs to be done. If you have friends and family helping you, be specific about what you want them to do. If anyone causes more damage to the premises, you'll be responsible!

It is a good idea to have the landlord fix any damages in your apartment, at least a few weeks before you move out, so you won't be held accountable for it. Even though normal wear and tear is the landlord's responsibility, it will be to your advantage to have the apartment looking its best when it comes time to do the move-out inspection.

The post inspection will be much the same as the Move In Inspection. The landlord will be assessing the condition of the premises as compared to when you moved in.

The inspection may include, but is definitely not limited to:

• Chipped paint?
• Scraped, or marked floors?
• Thumbtack holes in the walls?
• Stains on the carpet?
• Holes in the window screens?

Important!

Whether the inspection is your own, or if it is between yourself, your landlord, and a sublettor, be certain that you have your original inspection report. If you are doing an inspection with a sublettor, remember that you are ultimately responsible for any damages. If you have both move-in inspection reports, (yours and when your sublettor moved in) you will be able to physically prove the original condition of the premises.

If you have subletted the apartment, it may be worth your while to help the sublettor clean the apartment. That way, you'll both be able to prepare for the final inspection, and nothing will catch you off guard.