Reach Out to Your Current Landlord

About 60 days before you plan to move, notify your current landlord that you won’t be renewing your lease. The exact amount of time required to give notice is likely specified in your lease agreement. By giving notice as far in advance as possible, you’re giving your current landlord as much time as possible to search for new tenants. Your landlord needs to be aware that you’re moving out and will need to help you with the process.

Contact Your New Landlord

As soon as you sign your lease, you should reach out to your new landlord about the following important tasks:

  • Find out when you can pick up your new keys
  • Ask about move-in day
  • Double check what utilities you’re responsible for setting up
  • Double check the move-in date

Verifying the move-in date is crucial. Your new landlord will need to remind the current tenants what day they need to be out by. Communication surrounding move-in day is important because it would be a nightmare if a current tenant hasn’t moved out yet.

You also need to know your move-in date in order to complete the next task.

Schedule Professional Movers

We recommend hiring professional movers. Professional movers ensure your moving day will go well for a few reasons.

First, they have all the right supplies. They have boxes, wardrobe boxes, tape, moving dollies, trucks, a ramp on the truck, and the right crew. With the right equipment, crew, and expertise, the move will be easier and faster.

When you use professional movers, there’s a lower chance of damage not only to your belongings, but also to your rental property. As movers carry large furniture, they are careful not to scratch walls. You don’t want to be responsible for damage because it will likely be taken out of your security deposit.

Professional movers are also insured so if anything happens to your belongings or your rental property, the moving company is responsible for compensating you or the landlord. To this point, your landlord will appreciate if you use professional movers.

Recommended Companies:

Gentle Giant – (888) 786-9145

Correira Brothers’ Moving & Storage – (508) 948-0999

Pack

You should pack your belongings ahead of time so you are prepared. Depending on how many belongings you have, packing can take time so it’s a good idea to get started early.

We recommend packing in an order that makes sense. Start with items you don’t use frequently and then move onto necessities.

  • Decorations
  • Wall art
  • Sentimental objects
  • Books and movies
  • Clothes and dishware (except for items you need)
  • Last minute items

Organize your last-minute items so you can swiftly pack them the day of the move. Last-minute items include your toothbrush, cosmetics, shampoo, bedding, and last minute food.

As you’re packing, be sure to use bubble wrap to protect your belongings. You can also use clothes and towels to wrap fragile items.

The best way to pack electronics, especially your television, is in the original packaging. The original packaging is designed to keep your electronics safe during transportation. If you haven’t held onto those boxes, then be sure to properly wrap them.

Next, disassemble any furniture that is too big to fit through your door.

As you finish packing each box, label two sides of each box to make sure you can easily read your labels (even once you stack boxes). Labels help you organize the boxes on moving day once you are in your new property.

While you’re packing, we recommend preparing for a way to hold doors open. You should also clear pathways the day before your moving day. And be sure to have extra boxes and tape for last minute belongings.

All of these packing tips will make your move go more smoothly.

Check Your Apartment or House Before Your Leave

When you hire professional movers, moving day will be easy. Your movers will do all of the heavy-lifting, literally.

But here are few things to remember on moving day:

  • Remember to check for belongings you may have left behind. Here are a few places to double check:
  • Inside the washer and dryer
  • Inside the refrigerator and freezer
  • Your storage unit
  • Closets
  • High-up shelves and cabinets

After making sure that everything is out of the unit, complete some last minute tasks:

  • Take out the trash
  • Shut off the lights
  • Lock up

You’ve found your next rental property and signed a lease. The next step is organizing your move from your current place to your new place. We’re here to help you prepare for moving day.

With so many important tasks, it’s easy to forget something. You could end up locked out of your new unit, living without air conditioning, or not receiving your mail if you forget one of these tasks. Our checklist below will make sure you don’t forget anything.

 

Moving Checklist

Tenant Moving Checklist

Set Up Utilities

Here are the utilities to set up before your move:

  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Cable and internet
  • Water
  • Trash

Most utility companies provide the option to switch your services from one address to another. All you need to do is set an end date for the current unit’s service and a start date at your new address.

Register Address Change with USPS 

To register your  address change, contact USPS. The process is easy:

  • Enter your new address
  • Select whether your new address is temporary or permanent
    • Note: temporary addresses are less likely to receive spam mail
  • Select family or individual
    • If you are moving with other people, it helps to select family so each individual doesn’t have to go through the process
  • Select a forward date
    • This tells the postal service when to start forwarding your mail to the new address

You can complete this task whenever you know your new address. We recommend selecting the forward date to be your move-in date.

You’ll also need to update your address with your bank, credit card companies, medical offices, magazine subscriptions, your office, and be sure to tell family and friends.

Update Your Renters Insurance

Every time you move, you’ll likely need a new renters insurance policy. Renters insurance covers your belongings in case of theft, insures you in case someone is injured on your property, and more. Renters insurance is reasonably priced and can cover you for thousands of dollars in damage.

Check out Lemonade and get a quote in seconds. They’ll even help you switch if you’re already insured.

For more information, check out our Guide to Renters Insurance.

Clean Your Unit

After packing, you will need to clean your unit or hire a cleaner.

Recommended cleaners:

Marta’s Cleaning Serivces – 508-837-7848

Belita Criolas Cleaning – 401-868-8461

Landlords appreciate this maintenance and it ensures you’ll get your full security deposit back. Sometimes landlords deduct from security deposits in order to cover cleaning and maintenance fees.

If you use our comprehensive checklist, then you won’t forget any of these important tasks. We want to make your moving process easier than it’s ever been before.