Moving Day

Moving Out

Getting your security deposit back

The California Department of Consumer Affairs offers a brochure that thoroughly outlines state law regarding security deposit refunds and those issues that most frequently become a problem.

To maximize the likelihood that your security deposit is returned, don't forget to:

1. Document — keep your records and take clear, well-lit photos of the premises prior to moving in and before moving out. Document any issues that already exist in the living space (dings, dents, etc) and use the move-in photos as reference for how well you need to clean when you move out. Give the landlord copies of the photos, email them to yourself or do something else as proof you took those pictures upon move-in rather than at a later time. If you need something done during your tenancy, be sure to send your request in writing and keep a copy for yourself... paper trails are the only type of documentation sure to hold up in court.

2. Prepare — most landlords are happy to perform repairs during your tenure in the apartment. Get things repaired early, so that they won't become an issue near moving time.

3. Clean — tenants are legally entitled to a pre-inspection within two weeks of relinquishing tenancy; at this time the landlord must give you an itemized list of things to clean/repair. Since many leases require professional carpet cleaning for move out, check out this list put together by the Davis Local Wiki: https://localwiki.org/davis/Carpet_Cleaning

4. Be persistent, courteous, and professional

Time your move

1. Make arrangements for a moving vehicle, e.g. U-Haul, friend's truck, etc.

2. Reserve a storage unit if necessary

3. Check to see if your landlord offers any early-move-out incentives (some do!).

Change of address

1. Change it with USPS - you may also wish to set up mail forwarding to ensure that any mail sent to your previous address makes it to your new one!

2. Change your official university address with UC Davis through SISWEB and UC SHIP by logging into Health-e-Messaging.

3. Don't forget to contact the DMV, credit card companies, banks, insurance, etc!
   

Moving Day in Davis

Moving Day in Davis is usually August 31, the day that nearly every lease in this town expires. Roughly half the student population moves to a new home. Many people are stuck with not having a place to move in to until their new lease starts sometimes up to 4 or 5 days later. Every U-Haul is spoken for months in advance (get on the will-call lease) by people wanting to move in one trip or simply need a place to store their possessions overnight. The roads are lined with giveaway furniture. Apartment complexes place giant dumpsters in the parking lot, which are summarily filled by moving students, desperate to lighten their loads. Others in houses abandon goods in over-flowing garbage cans, on sidewalks and neighbors lawns. In short, a HUGE amount of trash, dejected valuables and stress is created.

If you live in an apartment complex, consider asking your apartment managers to set up a donation station next to the large dumpsters and encourage residents to leave their good, usable items outside the dumpster instead of throwing everything away. That way, more stuff gets reused and less stuff gets trashed. If your managers would like some assistance with setting up a donation station, they can call the City of Davis Public Works Department (757-5686) and the Recycling Program would be happy to give them a hand.

- Adapted from the Davis Wiki Moving Day page