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At the end of the semester, residents of The Cove are faced with the run-of-the-mill but at times intimidating process of moving out. Whether your destination is home for the summer or a new apartment, the key to a seamless move is planning. As one of the owners of upscale BYUI housing like The Cove, it’s your responsibility to leave common spaces with pride, get your deposit back, and leave with all things in better shape than when you moved in. Take advantage of this checklist to pack out, clean, and move out of your apartment smoothly, so you can focus on finals and goodbyes without last-minute stress.
Prepare Your Area Before Moving Out
When finals to prepare for and senior projects to plan are on the docket, the last thing you’ll want to be doing is cleaning, but don’t underestimate how much it counts. When you’re departing your BYU Idaho dorm, remember that you must meet management’s standards of cleanliness. That means cleaning your bedroom with meticulous care, cleaning your appliances, and maintaining common spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. Start with a single space and give yourself at least 2–3 days to finish the job. Begin with easy items like all-purpose cleaner, disinfecting wipes, vacuum, mop, and trash bags. Small bites now will reward you with saving you money on cleaning down the road. A pro tip: Take before-and-after photos if you cleaned something large like the oven or bathtub.
Only Pack the Things You Need
Packing is a lot simpler when you don’t have garbage to carry around. A week or two prior to move-out, go ahead and declutter your room at The Cove. Get rid of old notebooks, dead pens, and broken things. Give gently used clothing or appliances to secondhand stores in the area like Deseret Industries. Time to sift through what you actually use. That huge winter coat that you hardly even wore? Leave it in your home next semester. Most BYU Idaho Rexburg students’ rooms are small, so wise packing results in less stress next semester. Sort into three piles: Keep, Donate, and Trash, and be honest with yourself as to what works in your life.
Keep Your Deposit Safe
Getting your full deposit back is up to keeping your apartment in tip-top condition. Even in desirable BYU Idaho apartments such as The Cove, not remembering little things, such as draining the fridge or cleaning baseboards, can come at a cost in extra fees.
Ensure that:
- All personal items are removed
- The fridge is emptied and cleaned top-to-bottom
- All floors are vacuumed and mopped
- Clean light switches, windowsills, and walls
- Clean bathroom showers, toilets, sinks, and mirrors
Report dirty or broken items now. The manager will appreciate it and let you repair it. Don’t forget to turn in and lock up your keys, do this or lose money.
Things You Need to Do Before You Move Out
Pantry and Fridge Cleaning
Remove all food items that are perishable and properly clean the drawers and shelves. Unplug and leave the door ajar if instructed by the management. Dirty or full fridges are among the most common excuses for charging students when they move. Sharing the experience with flatmates can help ease the pain.
Empty All Trash and Recycling
A simple task, but not usually completed. Make sure all trash cans in your apartment are emptied, cleaned, and sterilized. Leaving trash behind is not just messy, it’s disrespect for cleaning staff or animals.
Take Down Command Strips and Wall Décor Gradually
Wall hooks and furniture are lovely all semester long, but torn down at random, they are a nightmare. Heat up the glue with a hairdryer beforehand, and then remove it very slowly so it won’t rip paint off with it.
Clean Shared Spaces Even If It Wasn't Your Own Mess Only
Bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms need to be cleaned top to bottom, although you did not use them alone. Semester-end bonding demands that all of you contribute even though it does not feel like it. Choreograph the cleaning schedule with roommates.
Pack by Category
Pack your belongings by category in labeled storage bins or containers: books, clothes, kitchen items, electronics, etc. This will make unpacking easier when you return home or at your new BYU location next semester. Number or color-code your boxes so you’ll know what to unpack first.
Document Your Cleaned Space
After all the cleaning and packing, take clear photos of each room and your space. These are proof of your work in case there is a dispute about move-out conditions or cleaning charges.
Coordinate With Roommates
Living in The Cove means having roommates, so your strategy has to account for them as well. Get in touch early on and respectfully. Make a shared checklist, divide tasks, and double-check what everyone is doing.
Example: One cleans common spaces and the other floors the kitchen. When one of them leaves early, make sure common responsibilities are completed. Being fair and respectful bridges the gap of friendship and avoids conflict during the semester’s end. It is also merely the right thing to do when living in BYUI housing where community respect comes first.
Storage or Ship? Plan Ahead
If you’re not carrying it all back with you, check out BYU Idaho Rexburg local storage. There are some student-budget-priced storage facilities over here that charge less for temporary rentals. Another option would be to send items home through USPS or UPS, but shipping heavy or oversize packages is expensive.
Organize your packing by these logistics:
- Pack heavy or bulk things like fans, bedding, or dishes
- Send important things and documents
- Pack the essentials like clothes, shoes, and electronics
- Reserve storage bins or shipping containers at least two weeks prior to the rush to avoid end-of-semester.
Leave The Cove In A Good Condition
Departing The Cove isn’t moving out and cleaning, it’s closing out your term with class and poise. Being a resident student in valued BYUI property means you are part of a larger community. Whether your plans include internships, heading home for break, or returning next term, paying attention to details makes you a quality tenant and a quality student.
With this checklist in hand, you’ll leave behind a spotless space, carry less clutter, and move on to your next chapter with ease. Make your move-out count; The Cove, and your future self, will thank you.
