In life, there are many major milestones that we will always remember. For many of us, it was moving into the first apartment. The moment when you receive your new keys transitions you into the next phase of your life—an exciting time, nonetheless! To make this exciting transition as easy as possible, we’ll cover the best steps to follow when moving in and out of an apartment.
Moving-In Checklist
Moving can be both an exciting and overwhelming process. Rather than looking at the bigger picture, it’s better to take one thing at a time. Before grabbing the moving boxes and tape, here is a checklist that you should follow to ensure you have a smooth move-in day.
1. After you sign your new lease, confirm with the property manager when you will receive your new keys. The last thing you want to do is be locked out of your new home!
2. Call a reputable and insured moving company and book your slot so you have someone pack, disassemble furniture, and move your belongings. Based on the size of your new apartment, you may consider needing a separate storage unit to hold excess goods, if need be.
3. A month or week before your move, contact your new utility providers (water, electric, internet, gas, etc.) and set up a new account or transfer your existing one.
4. We recommend hiring a professional cleaning service to come in and disinfect your new apartment before moving the big items in, as well as your old apartment, so you have everything squared away before the move.
5. Double-check with your new apartment community if an official move-in checklist should be completed by a specific date. Take any pictures of damage, discoloration, or potential issues before you move in so property management can inform maintenance of any changes prior to move-in.
6. Determine if there are any service elevators for any large furniture pieces.
7. If the new apartment has an online banking portal, confirm any banking information before moving in.
8. Is rental insurance required? If not, it is recommended to have it anyway.
9. Change your address from old to new, which can be done via USPS.
Moving-Out Checklist
Moving in is one thing. Moving out is another. Although the processes may be slightly similar, the checklists are entirely different. Here is a checklist to guarantee a pleasant, successful move-out day.
1. When your move-out date is confirmed, communicate with your landlord about what needs to happen to receive your first security deposit. Sometimes, you can get more back, based on circumstances. Keep in mind that the security deposit (if applicable) is normally returned when the apartment is in the same condition it was when you first moved in.
2. Provide substantial advanced notice when you are planning on moving out, as that will prepare them to fill it with a new resident.
3. CLEAN! As above, you want to keep the apartment in the same state as it was when you first moved in. Hire a cleaning company to help if needed.
4. Repair any minor damage. For instance, if you mounted a TV, be sure to cover any holes larger than a dime with a spackle.
5. Repaint the walls back to their original color, especially if they were changed to a different color.
6. Review to see if there are any extra charges. If so, make sure they are paid in full so you can get your deposit back, if a deposit was made.
7. Change your address from old to new, which can be done via USPS.
Additional Tips When Moving In or Out of an Apartment
Need a little more help making a move? Here are some additional tips to help you during the process of moving in or moving out of your apartment:
1. Look into decluttering the apartment. The less you bring into your new home, the better the move-in process will be.
2. To save money and streamline the moving in and moving out process, try and source free moving boxes.
3. Pack a moving day bag so you won’t have to go back and forth to find your essentials once everything is in the new place.
4. This goes without saying—pack before the big move.
5. If they don’t have them already cut out handles in each moving box to make it easier. Also, label them to ensure your moving team can put each box in the correct room.
6. For easy loading and unloading, pack your clothes in garbage bags with hangers.
7. Wrap mirrors, glass, or fragile items in bubble wrap or heavy blankets.
8. Check with your property management to confirm what can be discarded in the property dumpsters to avoid any fees.
9. Keep all important documents and files in an easily accessible area just in case you need them.
We Make Your Moving-In Process Easy!
Do you feel ready to take on the moving process? With more than 36 properties in and around the Chicago metropolitan area, TLC offers unique, well-maintained, one-of-a-kind properties perfectly nestled in the most desirable neighborhoods. If you’re currently in search of your next place to call home, we are confident one of our properties will check every box. Please visit https://www.chicagorentals.com or email us at info@chicagorentals.com to learn more information.
