Getting ready for an apartment move? This may be a new beginning for you. Finding an apartment that suits your needs for location, space and overall comfort can be difficult, so consider yourself lucky. Preparing for a move can be exciting if you think about it. You’ll set up your new place according to your preference. You’ll discover new adventures and things in your new neighbourhood. Before getting pumped about moving into your new apartment, take some time to check these simple moving tips for a smooth and stress-free move.
1. Give Proper Notice
Before you start feeling all excited about your new adventure in your new apartment, you need to make sure you give proper notice that you are moving out of the old apartment. This may include reviewing your lease agreement. Your lease will outline every necessary step before leaving an apartment. Make sure to check all the required steps to avoid any additional charges for the apartment you no longer live in. You need to start from writing a notice of your move, usually 30 to 60 days, or even 90 days for some. This will alert your landlord and at the same time, you will have a fond farewell with your nice neighbours.
2. Making a Timeline and a Checklist
Planning for a move is never easy so be sure to make a timeline for the tasks you need to do.
You need to prepare at least a month before your move to make sure all activities will be followed in the timeline. This will give you enough time to gather all necessary packing supplies and to pack each item carefully. You also have enough time to do all tasks from cleaning the whole unit to moving out the items to avoid any procrastination that may cause problems, especially during your moving day.
Making a checklist is a smart way to avoid forgetting important things before your move.
Be sure to include in the checklist the items you have for each room, your cleaning progress, setting up utilities, scheduling a move-out inspection, hiring a trusted removalist and the preparation of your new home.
3. Schedule a Move-out Inspection
Contacting the property manager and scheduling for a move-out inspection before your move is a good idea to avoid any surprises once you received the statement of your security deposit. This way, you will have a chance to ask for any possible repairs required or additional charges that you are not aware of and ask for advice for any particular areas to clean such as toilets, under the kitchen sinks, or in drawers that people usually forget. You will be able to do all required repairs and at the same time, you will receive vacating cleaning guidelines from the property manager to have a smooth and easier apartment move.
4. Make a plan for repairs
Checking your lease document is essential before moving out to avoid any issues or problems. Having a normal wear and tear on the surface and appliances occurs in every apartment. But for any damages that are beyond the normal wear and tear, then you are responsible for paying or making any repairs. You should check the specifications of the condition that you’re required to leave your apartment. This may include painting walls back to their original colours, patching nail holes in the walls, and most especially fixing any other damage the apartment has undergone since you moved in.
5. Deep Clean the Whole Unit
It depends on the agreement you have signed if you need to clean or not. Some leases charge a fixed cleaning fee but if your apartment doesn’t hire cleaners, be ready to deep clean the whole apartment. If you are thinking of leaving behind a piece of furniture or any designer curtains that can be used by the next residents, you need to think twice. Even if it’s tempting to leave these items, particularly couches, rugs or any cleaning supplies, remember that you need to leave the apartment free from any of your belongings.
When it comes to cleaning, remember to work from the top (ceiling fan, windows, walls) to the bottom (floors, baseboards, carpet). This allows dust and dirt to fall to the ground while you are cleaning, so you don’t need to sweep or vacuum multiple times which will consume a lot of your time. Be sure to follow all tasks on the checklist you’ve created before your final moving day.
6. Documentation
Even your property manager already conducted a move out inspection, documentation of the process and the situation of your current place before moving out is a crucial step for an apartment move. Why? This is because taking pictures will serve as evidence that will prevent you from being charged for the damages created after you move out and avoid any problems and conflicts with the landlord.
Remember to take photos of each room once all the belongings are out. This will serve as proof that you left the apartment in a good, clear and clean condition by showing all of your hard work to thoroughly clean the space in your photos. Keep the photos until you have already received your security deposit back.
I know you are excited to move in and decorate your new apartment, but make sure to take photos as well or even record a video of the current situation. If you see any damages before moving in, even if it’s okay with you, still you need to report it immediately to the landlord for them to check and do the proper actions needed. This will avoid any conflicts with the new landlord and of course, additional charges for the damages that you didn’t do.
7. Hiring a Trusted Moving Company
When arranging for an upcoming apartment move and needing some help, you have two options. You may recruit family and friends or hire a trusted moving company. Moving with family and friends is like a double-edged sword. It might be less expensive and will help you to have a closer relationship with your family or friends before you move out. But without enough experience and knowledge on the process, this may lead to moving mistakes which may cost more money and worse, injuries to you or anyone helping your move.
On the other hand, hiring a trusted and professional moving company is a smart choice. The move will be executed and handled with care and efficiency by the people who have enough knowledge, experience and equipment. If you have limited time, this will make your move faster and most especially avoid any physical injuries to you and to the people helping you out, giving you a stress-free apartment move.
The article mentions all the necessary steps that needs to take during moving out. Among these steps if one has a proper checklist then the move out will be very helpful. Another thing that i would like to add up is – Move-in Cleaning. You should inspect the house where you are moving in because there might be debris and dust left out.