Moving out of a shared apartment or house can be a tricky situation, especially when it comes to deciding who gets what furniture. If you’re moving out with roommates, you’ll want to make sure you split everything up fairly so that everyone ends up with what they need. In this article, we’ll discuss how to split furniture with roommates when moving out, so that everyone is happy with the outcome.
Communicate with Your Roommates
The first step in splitting furniture with roommates is to communicate with them about what furniture belongs to whom. Before you start dividing everything up, it’s important to establish what items are personal property and what items are communal property. Have a discussion about who brought what furniture into the apartment or house and who wants to keep what.
Take Inventory of Your Furniture
Once you’ve established who owns what, it’s time to take inventory of your furniture. Go through each room and make a list of all the furniture that needs to be divided. This includes everything from couches and chairs to coffee tables and bookshelves.
Decide What You Want to Keep
Now that you know what furniture needs to be split, it’s time to decide what you want to keep. Make a list of the items that you absolutely need in your new living space. This might include your bed, your desk, or your favorite armchair. It’s important to be realistic about what you can take with you and what you can live without.
Divide the Remaining Furniture
Once you’ve decided what you want to keep, it’s time to divide the remaining furniture among your roommates. This can be done in a number of ways, depending on your preferences. One option is to draw straws or flip a coin to determine who gets first pick. Another option is to make a list of all the remaining furniture and take turns picking items until everything has been claimed.
Make a Plan for Transporting the Furniture
When it comes to moving furniture out of a shared living space with roommates, transportation is a crucial aspect to consider. To ensure that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible, it’s important to make a plan for transporting the furniture. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Determine the Transportation Method: Consider the size and number of furniture pieces and decide whether a moving truck, rental van, or a professional moving service is required. Be sure to factor in the distance between your old and new homes, as well as any parking restrictions or regulations.
- Measure the Furniture: Measure the dimensions of each furniture piece to ensure they fit through doorways, hallways, and staircases, and determine how many trips are required to transport all the items.
- Disassemble Furniture: Disassembling larger furniture pieces such as beds, desks, and bookshelves can make transportation easier and safer. Ensure that all hardware and screws are kept in labeled bags for easy reassembly.
- Protect the Furniture: Protect furniture pieces from scratches and dings during transportation by using moving blankets, bubble wrap, or furniture pads. This is especially important for delicate items such as glass tabletops or mirrors.
- Load the Furniture: Load furniture into the moving truck or van in an organized manner, with heavier items placed on the bottom and lighter items on top. Use tie-downs and straps to secure the furniture during transportation.
- Unload the Furniture: Unload the furniture in a similar organized manner, taking care to place items in their designated rooms.
Sign a Furniture Agreement
To ensure that everyone is on the same page, it’s a good idea to sign a furniture agreement. This should outline who gets what furniture and who is responsible for transporting it. It’s also a good idea to include a section on how to handle any damages that may occur during the move.
Clean Up
Finally, once all the furniture has been divided and transported, it’s time to clean up. Make sure to clean the apartment or house thoroughly so that it’s ready for the next tenants. This includes vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down surfaces.
Splitting furniture with roommates when moving out can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. By communicating with your roommates, taking inventory of your furniture, deciding what you want to keep, dividing the remaining furniture, making a plan for transporting the furniture, signing a furniture agreement, and cleaning up, you can ensure that everyone is happy with the outcome.