Key return day has a way of arriving faster than expected. One week you’re in exams, the next you’re staring at a room full of stuff, a deadline, and no van.

The good news: moving out of halls is a small job if you start it early. Here’s how to make it easy.

Two weeks before: start small

You don’t need a big push. You need a head start.

• Bin and donate first. The lighter you travel, the cheaper and faster your move. Charity shops around Coventry and Leamington take clothes, books and kitchen bits gladly.
• Get boxes early. Supermarkets, corner shops and campus post rooms usually have plenty going spare. Free beats buying every time.
• Check your key return time. Not just the date — the actual hour. That’s the deadline everything works back from.

One week before: pack the things you don’t use

This is the bit that saves you. Pack anything you won’t need in the next seven days — winter clothes, books you’ve finished with, spare bedding, decorations.

By the time the last day comes, you’ll be packing a kettle and a toothbrush instead of an entire room.

Book your move before the rush

End of term is the busiest week of the year for every mover in Coventry. Everyone leaves at once.

Book your slot as soon as you know your key return date. You’ll get the time you actually want rather than whatever’s left — and you won’t be refreshing your phone hoping someone answers.

The day before: the deposit checklist

Most deposit deductions come down to the same handful of things. Twenty minutes here can save you real money.

• Wipe down surfaces, the hob and the inside of the fridge
• Take the bins out
• Remove blu-tack and posters (gently — that’s a classic charge)
• Sweep or hoover
• Take photos of the empty room once it’s clear

Those photos are your evidence if anything’s disputed later. Two minutes, no effort, genuinely worth it.

Moving day: keep it simple

Have everything boxed, sealed and stacked by the door before your crew arrives. That’s the single thing that makes a move quick.

Then step back and let someone else carry it down three flights of stairs.

If you haven’t got a van, that’s fine

Most students don’t. A halls run — boxes, bags and a suitcase — starts from £[35] with Van Hero, and there’s 10% off for students on every move. We load, we drive, we unload. You just point at the door.

FAQ

When should I book my student move? As early as you can once you know your key return date. End of term is peak week for movers in Coventry, and the best slots go first.

How much does it cost to move out of halls? A halls run with boxes, bags and a suitcase starts from £[35], with 10% off for students. You’ll get a fixed price before we start.

Can you move me on my key return day? Yes — we book around key return windows all the time. Tell us your deadline and we’ll fit the slot to it.