Without the proper preparation, moving in or out of an apartment can quickly become overwhelming.
Before you know it, moving day has arrived, and your belongings still aren’t packed up, your kitchen isn’t clean, or you found a mystery stain on the carpet. Unnecessary added stress is the last thing you want on moving day.
When you’ve chosen a new apartment to move into, you want everything to go smoothly as you prepare to create a new home. Are you curious to know how to ensure a successful moving day? Follow our top 8 apartment moving tips below.
When your moving day is months away, it may seem unnecessary to begin packing. However, procrastination is the worst enemy of moving, and even in a small studio apartment, you may have a lot of decorative items or furniture. You can likely pack away more belongings than you realize a month or two in advance. The first things you can pack up include:
As you pack items away, be sure to label the boxes so that you know exactly where to put them when you move into your new place. In the weeks and days leading up to your moving date, you can slowly pack up your more frequently-used items without the added stress of packing non-essential belongings.
With a new apartment comes a new address, and all of your accounts will need to be updated to reflect your new residence. It can be very easy to forget about an account if you don’t write it down. Like how you should create a checklist for apartment items, you should also create a list of all the places requiring an address change after you move. This list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
No matter what type of apartment you’re moving in or out of, you likely have items you no longer need. From a broken vacuum cleaner to those five sweaters you keep telling yourself you’ll wear but never do, you can lessen your moving load by donating unwanted belongings in advance. If you give yourself enough time, you can even sell household items in good condition and make a little extra cash before moving.
Set aside time at least a week in advance to take all your unwanted items to a thrift store. Referring back to tip #1, the sooner you start packing, the easier it will be to complete other moving steps like making donations.
The last thing you want is to move into a new apartment with no WiFi or electricity. Don’t procrastinate on scheduling utilities because installation dates can fill up fast. Once you find cable and internet providers who serve your new address, schedule your installation appointment as soon as possible.
If possible, turn off utilities at your current apartment the day after you move out, and turn on the utilities at your new apartment the day before you move in. Doing this will ensure you don’t get stuck without essential utilities at any point during the moving process.
Your lease will detail how much advance notice is required before moving out. When in doubt, contact your management company or landlord to learn their rules. Most apartments require at least 30 days’ notice, but others may require a heads-up 60 or 90 days in advance. Be sure to give proper notice; otherwise, you may find yourself paying rent for an apartment you no longer live in. Even if you’re breaking your lease early, you still need to give proper notice before you are released of your rental responsibilities.
In addition to the required notice, your lease will also detail the condition your apartment needs to be in before moving. You may need to patch nail holes, paint the walls their original color, remove any added storage solutions, or fix any other damage that occurred during your residence. If you want to receive your entire security deposit back, the apartment will need to be in pristine condition.
You will need to clean your old apartment from top to bottom to ensure it’s ready for the new renters when you move out. More significant cleaning tasks should be completed in advance so that you’re not scrambling on your moving day. These tasks include:
Some properties will refund the cleaning portion of your security deposit if you hire the professional cleaner they contract with.
The cheapest way to move involves asking friends and family members to help in exchange for a free lunch. However, if your friends are busy, you don’t know many people in town, or you have valuable items you want to be handled correctly, it may be in your best interest to hire a moving team.
A professional moving company will know how to move furniture and electronics properly, and the whole process will be completed efficiently. Remember, it’s not the moving company’s responsibility to help you pack, so if you want to ensure a smooth moving process, make sure all of your belongings are packed into boxes before the movers arrive. Whether you decide to hire a moving company or enlist the help of friends, be sure to reserve the company or rental truck a few weeks in advance.
When you move into your new apartment, management will give you a move-in inspection document. Complete this document right away before you start unpacking. Observing your new apartment while it’s empty will allow you to clearly notice any signs of concern. A helpful tip is to take pictures of any damaged areas so that you can show your landlord. Completing a thorough move-in inspection will help ensure that you get your entire security deposit back when you eventually move out.
You can never prep too early for a smooth moving day. Packing weeks ahead of time, creating checklists, and giving advance notice to management, utility companies, and moving teams will all help ensure that your upcoming move goes according to plan.
If you’re ready to move into your dream apartment in the Twin Cities, check out our available listings today. You’re sure to find your perfect home with the help of Bigos.
