Prepare for the University Apartments checkout process by reading up on essential tasks and dates. These checkout details are for the 2024-25 academic year. Please note that the checkout resident checklist must be completed prior to your departure.
The 2024-25 University Apartments housing contract ends on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Checkout Process Task List
Tasks for All Residents
Submit your release request form
Any resident interested in being released from their University Apartments housing contract before their contract end date must obtain, complete and submit a release request form to housing@austin.utexas.edu. Contract releases will only be granted to residents who are graduating, studying abroad or participating in an internship that requires relocation. If your reason for requesting a contract release differs from those listed, please contact our housing team. Contract release requests for those moving out for the spring term must be completed by November 15 at 5 p.m. to avoid a cancellation penalty. Contract release requests for those moving out for the summer must be completed by April 15 at 5 p.m. to avoid a cancellation penalty. You will be able to indicate your checkout date on the form, and your billing end date will be adjusted based on your checkout date. Please see the 2024-25 Contract Terms and Conditions for more details.
Read the closing newsletter
Ensure that you are aware of the tasks for a proper checkout by reading the University Apartments closing procedure newsletter provided by staff. Please reach out to an apartment resident assistant or the front desk with any questions.
Clean your room and bathroom
Checking out of University Apartments with your room and bathroom left messy will incur respective fines. The cleaning fee for a messy room is $50 per person. The fee for a messy bathroom is $120, to be divided among roommates. Damages or missing room items will cost the price of repair, replacement and/or labor.
Clean your kitchen and common spaces
Departing University Apartments with your kitchen and common spaces left messy will incur respective fines. To avoid such charges, ensure that you thoroughly clean the kitchen counters, refrigerator and stovetop/oven prior to checkout.
Take belongings out of your apartment
Be sure to remove all your belongings from your bed space, common area and outside area (if applicable). No items, including trash, may be left in or outside of the apartment or outside of community dumpsters. A fee for items left behind will be charged to your student account. Do not place furniture, mattresses or large items in the dumpsters. Please leave the provided trash and recycling bins in the apartment.
Complete the checkout resident checklist
All residents are required to complete this essential tasks checklist prior to their departure from University Apartments.
Pick up a checkout envelope and return your keys
Pick up a checkout envelope from your building’s front desk. Return your room key in the envelope to the front desk staff by 5 p.m. on closing day. A $75 fine is incurred for lost keys or keys not returned by the closing day deadline.
Additional Details
Update your mailing address
Complete a change of address with the postal service at least two weeks prior to moving out. To change your mailing address with the University, log in to UT Direct, modify your address and then select “Update This Address.” Please be sure to check your mailbox before departing; once the University Apartments housing contract ends at noon, you may no longer pick up mail from your building. After the contract end date and for a period of 30 days, only first-class mail will be forwarded to your new address. Also make sure to update your default address with external companies that may continue to ship mail to you (i.e., magazine subscriptions, Amazon packages, etc.).
Moving vehicles
Notify the housing office if you plan to rent a storage pod or moving trailer/van. You must get the location and length of stay of the vehicle/pod approved by staff prior to the arrival of the unit at the University Apartments property. Vehicles, moving vans and trailers cannot be driven in the yard/grass area.
Failure to vacate
University Apartments housing contracts end on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 5 p.m. Failure to move out on or before 5 p.m. on the exact date required under the contract (e.g. the end of the contract term or the date listed on the contract release request) you must pay 100% of one month’s rate plus $50 per day for each day you are occupying the apartment past the notice to vacate date. You agree to indemnify The University and/or prospective residents for damages incurred, including lost income, storage, lodging expenses, and attorney’s fees, if such damages are incurred.
Ensure that bed spaces remain vacant
Once a bed space is vacated in your apartment, University Apartments staff will come check within 72 hours that the space has been properly vacated. These apartment visits generally happen on two occasions: when a resident has recently moved out of a room within your apartment space or because items obstructed our staff’s ability to check a vacated bed space during their inspection.
Room inspections are very brief and only to ensure that a former resident has removed everything from their room and bathroom. You are not required to be present for the inspection. Once inspections are completed, please note that our building services team will enter the apartment within a week to clean the space and fix any damages found in the inspection.
If you have any questions, please direct them to the housing team or call 512-471-3136.