More than just the packing, moving involves a lot more preparation. You’d need to check in with both landlords of the old and new place. You’d need to that both apartments are ready for your arrival and exit. And, of course, you have to check if you’re ready yourself in terms of finances and everything else. Nothing kills the excitement of moving to a new place than finding out you left something behind or that you still have so much to take care of. So, here is a checklist of things rentes should do before moving. Use it to stay on top of all the chaos and move into your new home smoothly.
Prepare Your Old Place
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It’s not just your new place that needs to be prepared. You also need to make sure to restore your old place as to how you’ve left it, especially if you want to get that security deposit. So, pack everything. Then, thoroughly clean out the old place. Your landlord would probably clean up after you leave as well. But, this will give you the opportunity to make one last sweep of the place and fix what needs to be fixed. Don’t forget to alert your landlord when you’re moving as well so there will be someone to hand over the keys to on the day itself.
Transfer Services and Utilities to Your New Place
Unpacking in a cold, dark apartment is probably the worst you’re going to get. To keep things comfortable, make a list of your services and utilities. Then, start transferring them to your new place a week or two even before you move in. You can also schedule turning on your utilities a day or two before you arrive to avoid service lapses. Remember to also check with your landlord which providers are available in your new building.
Change Your Address
Remember to change your address all across the board immediately. Simply fill out a form to let the Postal Service know that you’ve changed homes. Then, don’t forget to notify your bank, your work, and other important personnel about your new address even Amazon. With this, you’ll be able to make a smooth transition.
Make Sure You Have Renter’s Insurance
To keep your properties safe in your new home, make sure you get yourself renter’s insurance. See, your landlord may have insured your unit and the building but, not your items. Renters insurance protects your belongings in case of theft, fire, water damage, and the like. The best part is, renter’s insurance is very affordable. And you can even get some for as low as $10 per month.
Research Your New Neighborhood
Before fully moving in, do your research and get acquainted with the new neighborhood. Know where the grocery and convenience stores are. If you’re interested, set yourself up for a new gym membership and the like. Also, find out what bars and restaurants are near. And don’t forget to scout out what transportation is available near the area.
Pack a Box With Everything You’ll Need For One Day
Unpacking causes as much mayhem as packing. To avoid further struggles in that department and to ensure you survive your first day in your new place, pack a box of essentials for a day or two. Towels, toilet paper, soap, pajamas, an extra change of clothes, food – pack everything you’d need in the first 24 to 48 hours. This way, you can get settled in comfortably and unpack without having to scramble around looking for stuff you need at that moment.