Move-Out

Room Changes & End-of-Year-Move-Out

Whether you're changing rooms during the semester or preparing to move out at the end of the academic year, planning ahead is essential for a smooth transition.

Attend Your Floor Meeting
Your RA will host a floor meeting with important details about the move-out process at the end of year. These meetings cover everything you need to know to check out properly—don’t miss it! If you are moving during the academic calendar, feel free to speak with your RA about any questions you may have about moving out. 

Pack & Clean Early
Start packing your belongings in advance and coordinate with your roommate to clean shared spaces. A clean and empty room is required for check-out.

• Carefully remove all tape, stickers, adhesive tape, etc. from walls, doors, ceilings, mirrors, and windows.
• Clean off writing on doors, walls, desks, dressers, or chairs. Wash all furniture surfaces - chairs, desks, dressers, windowsills etc. This means there should be no stains, black smudges, tape, or sticky spots left.
• Place all furniture in the room, in its original place and condition.
• Bring all of your trash to appropriate waste containers, making sure to not add to overflowing containers. Do not sweep garbage into the hallway. Each floor resident will be billed for garbage or items left in the hallway, bathroom, or other common spaces.
• Remove all personal belongings.
• No dust bunnies or dirt should be left behind or under furniture.
• Empty all drawers and wipe out all dust.
• You do not need to vacuum the floor but pick up large pieces of debris.  

Finals Week Check-Out
All students must check out with an RA during finals week. At this time:

• Your room must be completely empty and cleaned
• You may not re-enter the space after check-out
• The RA will inspect for major damages and note any issues

If damages are found, you’ll be notified. After your RA check-out, return your room key to the Whitaker Campus Center Switchboard. Failure to return your key will result in a $100 fee charged by Campus Safety to cover the cost of changing the lock.

Avoid Being Charged

Listed below are examples of some common charges (estimates and minimums). Take action to avoid being assessed charges by properly leaving your residence in good condition. All charges are subject to adjustment based on the extent of the damage. You are responsible for the entire replacement cost and any associated labor cost if Facilities staff is unable to repair an item. If a damage charge in a room or common area cannot be attributed to one person, the full charge will be assessed to all members of the room/apartment or community (either floor or building).

• Improper or late checkout $150
• Key not returned at checkout $100
• Left belongings / trash removal $25 per bag/small item (minimum)
• Personal furniture removal $100 per item
• Removal of adhesive tape/residue or hooks from wall $25 (minimum)
• Wall patch and/or painting $45 for partial wall; $600 for entire room
• Furniture repair$25, ranging to $125
• Furniture missing - replacement $100 minimum (ranging upwards of $1,100 for more expensive items)
• Additional cleaning required (room) $40 (minimum)
• Excessive/additional cleaning required (apartment) $300 (minimum)
• Cable equipment replacement (apartment)$250
• Router replacement (apartment) $125
• Carpet damaged $40 and up
• Ceiling tile replacement $20
• Door replacement$685
• Window replacement $155 per pane
• Window screen replacement $50 and up
• Kitchen cleaning (apartment-style residents)
  • Refrigerator $50/resident
  • Cabinets $25/resident
  • Sink $25/resident
  • Floor $25/resident
  • Stove$50/resident

Other Important Information:

Security

Remember to keep your door locked at all times. When packing and moving out, do not leave your room or belongings unattended. Many campuses see an increase in theft during periods of transition. Remember to not let others into the building without authorized access. 

Report any suspicious activity to Campus Safety by calling 301-696-3548.

Parking

Students with assistance from friends and family with move-out must not block fire lanes. Temporary loading zones are intended for a maximum of twenty minutes.    

Mailbox Information 

All students will need to submit a completed forwarding card to campus mail services; a blank card is placed in each mailbox. Students staying on campus during the entire summer should not forward their mail. Those graduating or withdrawing should notify all correspondents that their address has changed.    

Extended Quiet Hours 

As each semester winds down, there is one final push to complete final exams, projects, and papers. All residential buildings follow 24-hour quiet hours from the start of Reading Days to the closure of residence halls. 

Quiet hours are meant to provide a noise-free atmosphere across campus so students can be academically focused. Students who are disruptive to the community may be asked to leave and/or fined.

Local Storage Options

On-campus storage is no longer available. Residence Halls are occupied by summer residents, Conference Events & Services, or maintained by Facilities for maintenance and renovations. Items may not be left in residences. 

We have complied a list of local storage places for your convenience: