Renters Relocation List

Ten things you need to have or do when moving from one apartment to another:

1. Give 30 days' notice to your current landlord, in writing, and keep a copy of the letter for yourself. Also give 30 days notice to cancel your monthly services such as gas, electricity, and telephone.

2. Do research on the area you are moving to via their Chamber of Commerce or a relocation service. Find out about schools, get doctor referrals, etc. If you have pets, find out about vaccination requirements in your new area and make sure your pets are up to date.

3. Start collecting boxes and other packing materials. Get what you can for free from grocery stores, bookstores, friends, and neighbors. You can also order supplies from truck rental services and moving supply companies.

4. Make sure you have enough cash on hand to pay your new security deposit! You most likely won't get your old deposit back until you've been in your new place for a month or so.

5. Get copies of various local rental applications and make your own word processor document containing all of the typical information, plus a "cover letter" explaining why you are a wonderful tenant. This will save you having to fill out endless applications by hand, and will make a good impression on landlords.

6. You may also wish to obtain a current credit report to give to prospective landlords (they will run a credit check on you anyway if you do not, and probably charge you for it.)

7. Get rid of absolutely everything that you can live without. The less you own, the less you will have to move. Hold yard sales, auctions, and/or donate to charity. Charitable donations may be tax deductible.

8. Notify the post office, any magazines you subscribe to, and any favorite mail-order companies of your new address. Remember, the post office will only forward your mail for so long, so be sure that all your friends, relatives, and favorite companies have the new address.

9. Start packing in plenty of time, starting with the items you rarely use. Organize by room, and label your boxes. Anything that is irreplaceable or extremely fragile, plan on keeping it with you in the car.

10. Make sure your apartment is in the same or better condition than when you found it. Take pictures, preferably with a camera that has a date stamp. If you made a condition checklist when you moved in (see our Apartment Renting Tips), have your landlord walk through the apartment and verify the condition again in writing before you leave.

Apartment Renting

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