You have the new apartment of your dreams! (Or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof.) On move in day, there are things you need to do before you move in a single box or item of furniture.

Pic’s or it didn’t happen.

Inspect everything again. And I mean everything. If there is anything at all of questionable integrity, like a mild discoloration on the carpet, a scratch on the kitchen linoleum, or rust spots on the bathroom sink? Take a picture. Print them out, date and sign them, keep a copy for yourself and send a copy to your landlord or apartment manager as proof of “move-in condition”.  This can save you quite a bit of money on charges at move out.

Check the outlets. Bring a small electrical appliance, or a phone charger and test every single one of the outlets in your new apartment. If there are any that do not work, call it to the attention of the management ASAP.

Remember that your goal is to leave the place exactly as you found it. In move in condition.

Double check the parking – make sure that you can park in the street if you need to (or your guests can) there is nothing worse than getting ready to go to work or out for the night and finding your car has been towed.

All the Paperwork

In this day and age, there is a ton of paperwork to sign. Read everything. If there is something you do not understand, have the manager explain it to you. Make sure that you understand all the basic rules of the complex you are moving into.

Tip: Check the age of your carpet. Carpet replacement charges are based on a sliding scale of how old the carpet is, times the amount of use theoretically remaining, divided by the length of a tenancy. It is not a bad idea to have your manager write in the age of the carpet in the documents…that way, there is not a surprise replacement cost when you move out.

Hire a moving company or do it yourself?

This depends, how much energy (and stuff) do you have? How many friends do you have? (How much “payment pizza” will it take to feed them?) Do you have the time to move yourself? Would you rather trust your television (and other big breakable items) to friends or a moving company? I have done both, and never had any issues with either one.  Hiring a moving company saves a lot of stress, and if you are completely tired at the end of the day, they leave. Friends sometimes don’t. (unless of course, you agree ahead of time that the day ends an hour or two after the move…and I strongly suggest you do so.)

Make a “moving day” box. In this box have the following:

• Toilet paper
• Basic cleaning supplies – paper towels, 409, sponge
• Bedsheets (and pillows)
• Next day clothing
• Towels
• Personal care items – brushes, makeup, shampoo, soap

This will get you through that the first night even if you are too beat up to unpack anything.

Packing Tips:

If you have furniture that disassembles, put the little bits and pieces in a Ziploc baggie, label it clearly and either attach it to the item itself or have a designated “parts” box. (Put TV remotes in here too.)

If you have a variety of cables, tag ‘em and bag ‘em.

Moving with Pets:

During the moving process, move the pets first. Take water, food and a litter disposal system and lock them in a bathroom. Put up a sign on the outside that says “Pets inside. Do Not Open Door”. When everyone leaves, you can open the door and let them discover the new place on their own, with no scary other people around.

Next up: Roommates!

-Auntie Zia