Moving out of a shared flat involves more than just packing boxes — when you live with flatmates, how you handle moving out is a checklist in itself. From giving proper notice to settling shared expenses and finding a suitable replacement, a smooth exit protects your relationships and your security deposit. Here's a practical flatmate's checklist for handling a move-out the right way.
Why a Moving-Out Checklist Matters
Unlike moving out of a solo apartment, leaving a flat share affects other people's living situation, finances, and peace of mind. A poorly handled exit can leave remaining flatmates scrambling to cover rent, disputing unpaid bills, or dealing with a mess you left behind. A clear checklist protects everyone and ensures the transition is fair.
Step One: Give Proper Notice to Everyone Involved
Review your rental agreement for the required notice period, typically 30 to 60 days in most Indian cities, and communicate your move-out date to your landlord and flatmates as early as possible. Don't rely on a casual mention — put it in writing, whether that's a message in your group chat or a formal email.
- Confirm your last day of rent liability with the landlord in writing
- Give flatmates enough time to plan for a new roommate or adjust their share of rent
- Check your agreement for any lock-in period penalties
- Update your address for bank accounts, deliveries, and government IDs
Pro tip: Send your notice message with a clear date and a request for written acknowledgement from both your landlord and flatmates, so there's no confusion later about when your responsibilities officially end.
Settle All Shared Finances Before You Leave
Outstanding shared expenses are one of the most common sources of post-move-out conflict. Before you leave, reconcile every shared bill, from electricity and Wi-Fi to groceries and household supplies. Use your flat-sharing app's expense splitting tools to generate a final settlement summary so nothing is left ambiguous.
Also confirm how your share of the security deposit will be handled, especially if you're leaving before the lease officially ends and a new flatmate is taking over your room.
Why it matters: Unsettled bills after move-out are one of the top reasons flatmate friendships turn sour — closing every shared expense before you leave keeps the relationship intact even after you've moved on.
Handling Shared Belongings and a Final Clean
Go through shared items like kitchen appliances, furniture, and cleaning supplies, and agree on who keeps what. If you contributed to jointly purchased items, decide whether you'll be compensated or simply leave them behind.
Before handing over your keys, do a final deep clean of your room and any shared spaces you're responsible for. This matters both for your security deposit and as a courtesy to the flatmates staying behind, or the new flatmate moving in.
Helping Find Your Replacement
If your lease requires the room to stay filled, help your flatmates find a suitable replacement rather than leaving them to scramble alone. Share honest details about the flat, house rules, and what worked well during your stay. Listing the vacancy on a platform with KYC-verified users helps your flatmates avoid the stress of vetting a stranger from scratch, and speeds up the handover.
Ready to find your ideal flatmate? Join FlatmatesHub today and connect with KYC-verified roommates near you — completely free.