If you intend to move out of your apartment, you should send a moving out letter to the apartment manager or the owner. Check the contract when the moving out letter should be sent. It's usually 30 days before the moving out day. However, your contract could also say that you need to send the moving out letter 60 days before your scheduled move. Otherwise, you could be penalized and you would not be able to retrieve your security deposit in full.   After sending out the moving out letter, it's time to prepare the place for your move. Start by cleaning the house first and making minor repairs. For instance, you should take out the nails you have punched in the walls and patch the holes until the wall is smooth. If necessary, you should also repaint the walls. All appliances that came with the apartment should be cleaned inside and out as well. The furniture should be cleaned too. The main important thing is to leave the place in the same condition as when you came to live in it. In fact, it would have been better if you took photos of the apartment when you moved in and when you move out so you can have a proof. This way, the apartment manager won't have any reason to hold your security deposit longer than necessary or forfeit any of it.