Steps to Take before Moving Into an Apartment
- Written by Diana Smith
Moving into a new apartment is always exciting, but also quite challenging. There are so many things you need to take care of before you actually start unpacking and furnishing your new place that it’s very easy to forget something very important. Smart people make a list of everything that needs to be done before moving into a new apartment with some timeframe, because they want to avoid unnecessary stress. If you’re one of them, take the following tips into account when making your list and you’ll see that the whole moving process doesn’t have to be so stressful and that you can actually look forward to it.
Arrange things with current and new landlord
First of all, you need to let your current landlord know what day you’re moving out. They’ll probably want to complete a move-out checklist with you and specify when and how you need to return the keys. Also, your new landlord should know what day you’re planning to move in. You need to agree with them on several important issues, such as the date when you’ll receive your keys.
Make sure you establish where you can park on moving day and whether the parking area is big enough for a truck. Next, consider your big furniture items and whether there are service elevators or you have to use the stairs. Finally, sort out the payment details, such as how you should pay first month’s rent.
Consider renters’ insurance
It’s wise to have one, even if your landlord doesn’t require it. This insurance protects your belongings in case of theft, water damage, fire, etc. and it will cover you up to a certain amount to compensate for any damage done to your belongings. If you already have renters’ insurance for your current apartment, just contact your insurance agent to update your plan for the new address and possible price change.
Utilities
Your lease will stipulate what utilities are your responsibility. In most cases, you have to set up gas, electricity, internet and cable, while your landlord takes care of water and trash, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Setting up all your utilities shouldn’t be a problem and you need to do it before you move in.
Hire professionals
While many people turn to friends and family for help when it comes to moving, you should seriously consider hiring professionals. While most people are happy to help, they may not be strong or experienced enough to carry some bulky items or they don’t know how to secure such items to avoid damage during transport. Australians, for example, usually turn to experts and book a Budget truck for hire when moving, knowing they can find a truck big enough for all their stuff.
Change your address
In most countries, this is a very simple process and you just have to visit the office in charge of registering your new address, tell them whether the new address is temporary or permanent, a family or individual one and select a forward date, which should be your move-in date. Let your bank also know about the change.
Shop for furniture
Once you know how big your new place is and what furniture you have, you might realise you need to get some new items. It’s always a good idea to take care of that problem before you move in and arrange for the delivery on the day when you’re supposed to move in. That will help you enjoy your new apartment from the very first day of living in it.
Packing
The worst thing you can do is be late with your packing and wake up on the move-in day with more packing to do. So, start packing early and first deal with those things you don’t need every day, such as decorations, books, sentimental belongings, etc. You can also start packing some clothes and dishware you won’t be needing any time soon.
Organise the last-minute belonging so that you can pack them quickly closer to the move date. You might need to disassemble some furniture to make the moving day easier. Each box you pack should be clearly labelled, preferably on two sides. This will help you read the labels even if the boxes are stacked on top of each other and you’ll know exactly where to put each box in the new apartment. You might even use different colours for different rooms, but that’s not necessary.
Provided you’ve planned everything carefully, including your budget for moving, if you start preparing well in advance, you’ll see that you won’t be so stressed on the actual move-in date and you’ll be much more efficient and able to enjoy the benefits of your new home immediately.
