Rental Articles > Moving Tips
Moving Tips
Tip #1
If you're moving to or from a pet-friendly apartment community, pay close attention to your pet's behavior during the weeks before and after you move. You'll want to surround your pet with familiar objects to help ease the stress of settling into new surroundings.
Tip #2
Organize your move by deciding and making lists of what items you will not transport, what items your van line agent will move and what items you will move yourself.
Tip #3
Pack a box of things you'll need as soon as you arrive at your new apartment home. This might include non-aerosol cleaning supplies, disposable plates and cups, light tools, snacks, bathroom items, trash bags, and documents regarding your rent.
Tip #4
Newspaper makes fine packing cushions, as do towels and clothes. Just be prepared to wash everything when it arrives at your new apartment.
Tip #5
Pack up all the items you will not need during the month prior to moving to your new rental community. These items include out-of-season clothing, sporting goods, books, decorative pieces and linens.
Tip #6
If you are changing banks, open a new bank account in the community you are moving to. Do not close your existing bank account until all of your outstanding checks have cleared and any auto-payments have been updated with your new account information—including any payments for rent.
Tip #7
Did you find any rented movies or borrowed tools while you were packing? Well, it’s time to come clean with the local video rental store and your neighbors before moving into your new apartment.
Tip #8
Prepare any lawn mowers, snow blowers, boats, motorcycles and snowmobiles for the move by draining gasoline and oil, as well as winterizing them if necessary.
Tip #9
When packing small items, wrap them in bright colored tissue paper so they are not mistakenly thrown out.
Tip #10
Call your local government to clear up any unpaid taxes or parking tickets. Unpaid fees will find their way to your new rental community and could even keep you from renewing your license.
Tip #11
Before your move, order address labels, stationery and new bank checks. Forwarding mail to your new apartment home is also a great way to be sure you don’t miss any important packages.
Tip #12
Donate or sell any clothing you have decided not to move with you. Sort through books and donate them to your local library or school.
Tip #13
Be sure that you have heat, hot water and lights when you get to your new apartment home. Sometimes it is helpful to have your utilities turned on the day before you move in.
Tip #14
Make sure your movers (even if they're friends or family) know where they are going. Prepare written directions and a highlighted map to your new apartment community. Exchange cell phone numbers so you can stay in touch.
Tip #15
Plates and record albums should be packed on-end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked. Otherwise, you may open the moving boxes at your new rental community and find more pieces than you started with.
Tip #16
Contact your doctors and dentist to inform them of your move. If you’re moving to an apartment community another town and haven’t selected a new doctor, get referrals and your medical records from your current doctors.
Tip #17
Have children write their name and the address for their new apartment community on the cartons for their rooms so they can become familiar with their new street and town.
Tip #18
Keep box weight down by putting one heavy item in a small box, and a couple of light items in a larger box.
Tip #19
Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so you won’t have to rummage through boxes for essential items the first night in your new apartment home.
Tip #20
When scheduling the move-in date for your new apartment community, try to keep lease overlap to a minimum so you don’t end up paying rent for two apartment homes. Be sure to check your current rental lease so that you give an appropriate move-out notice to your Community Manager.
Tip #21
If you move into your new apartment home in the middle of the month, remember that you’ll be responsible for a pro-rated rent amount for your new apartment, as well as the full-month’s rent at your old place.
Tip #22
Most apartment communities have a move-out check list that, if followed, can help you get your security deposit back. Ask your community manager what you can do to help put your money toward next month’s rent, rather than an old deposit.