Moving takes planning no matter what shape your home takes. But, when you’re moving in or out of an apartment or condo, there’s usually some additional things to keep in mind, like lease agreements, parking permits, and elevator use. To help you manage the extra moving parts, we put together a comprehensive checklist for a successful apartment move.
Notify Your Landlord
In most cases, the first step in a successful move out of an apartment is ending the rental agreement. If the end of your lease term is coming up, give your landlord or property manager the required notice according to the terms of your agreement. Thirty to sixty days notice is usually the standard. Review your lease to find out what you need to do and when before vacating your apartment.
Packing Materials
Gather all the boxes, bubble wrap, paper, tape, and labeling materials you’ll need to pack up your belongings. You can always try to get free boxes from the recycling bins of local grocery stores and liquor stores, but used cardboard isn’t always your best bet. You can get new boxes in every size and shape from Master Movers at an affordable price. We’ll make sure you have everything you need to protect your possessions and label your boxes properly.
Arrange for Transport
Will you be hiring professional movers, renting a truck, or begging your friends with trucks for help? Either way, try to make the arrangements for transport about a month in advance, especially if you’re moving in the summer which is peak moving season. If you decide to hire a mover, find out how much their service will cost, when the movers will arrive, and other crucial details.
Critical Apartment Building Logistics
Moving in and out of an apartment building can be a lot tricker than moving out of a house. You don’t have a driveway to park the truck in, and you may not have direct access to your front door. Talk with your current and future landlord/property manager/concierge to find out if you need to reserve an elevator or parking space for your move.
Contact Utility Companies
While your landlord may cover some of your utilities, there’s bound to be a few bills that you are or will be responsible for, such as cable and electricity. A week or two before your move, call your utility providers, both current and future, to set up shut off and start times. This is especially important if you are in charge of water and electricity at your new place. It’s uncommon for those services to be shut off between tenants, but it would be pretty inconvenient if you couldn’t turn on the lights or have a glass of water when moving into your new place.
Pare Down
Before you start packing, you could save some time, boxes, and backaches by getting rid of some of the things you don’t need, use or want anymore. Sell what you can and donate the rest. You’ll be happy you did when you have less to unpack and your new place is clutter free.
Pack Thoughtfully
Packing always takes longer than you think, so don’y wait until the last minute to box up your stuff. If you have heavy, valuable, and/or fragile items (glass or granite table tops, large oil paintings, oversized mirrors, etc.) you may want to have them professionally crated to ensure their protection.
When packing boxes, try to keep them under 50 pounds, and make sure they are thoroughly labeled and sealed. As you go, stack the boxes that are ready to load around the perimeter of the room (lighter boxes on top) so that movers can easily access and load larger furniture first.
Put together a box of essentials to be the last in and first out of the truck. This might include towels and toiletries, clean sheets, a change of clothes, and chargers for your phone and other devices. This way you can make it through the weekend without having to unpack every box.
Manage the Paperwork
The last thing you want to misplace while moving is your lease paperwork or movers contract. Make sure to keep these and other sensitive documents, like bank statements, passports, birth certificates, and medical records in a secure and accessible place so you can get to them when you need them.
Kids and Pets
Moving can put unneeded stress on children and animals. So if you can, make arrangements for a neighbor, friend or family member to watch your kids and/or pets during all the moving mayhem.
Change of Address
Before moving, remember to notify the post office as well as your bank, credit card company, and insurance provider of your new address so you don’t miss any bills or important notices. If you have magazine or newspaper subscriptions you’ll want to update your address with them also.
Final Sweep
On moving day, you’ll have to do some dirty work unless you hire a cleaning company to come through for you. You’ll need to clean out the refrigerator and freezer, sinks, showers, closets and cabinets. Do one last sweep and make sure you didn’t leave anything behind. Then return your keys to your landlord, and hope you get your security deposit back.
If you’re getting ready to move in or out of an apartment or condominium soon, keep this checklist on hand to ensure a stress-free move.
And remember, Master Movers Moving & Storage is always here for you! Contact us to find out more about our packing, crating, transport and storage services. Call 503-762-1288 or click here to use our contact form.