Do’s and Don’ts You Should Know When Moving Into a New Apartment

Moving into a new apartment is as thrilling as it is daunting. Amidst all of the excitement comes the opportunity to start a new chapter of your life filled with newfound freedom and responsibility. Regardless if you’re moving across the country or to the town over from your hometown, your big move is worth raving about in more ways than one.

Whether you’re signing a lease or closing a deal, your new apartment is yours to call home — you’ll be able to design it per your aesthetic preferences, and carve out a space that feels cozy and true to your energy and spirit. Naturally, finding the perfect apartment for your needs and taste can be a feat in and of itself, but with the selection process behind you, you can dive into the next hardest part of the process — moving your belongings. Make no mistake, organizing a safe and smooth relocation operation is tough. 

Using this guide, we’ll walk you through the do’s and don’ts you need to know about as you’re preparing to move into your new apartment. 

Do: Communicate with Your New and Former Landlord 

Forewarn your former landlord of the date and time you plan on leaving and dropping off your keys. Your landlord will likely want to perform a move-out walkthrough with you to assess any damage to the property. Be sure to have all of your belongings packed up and out of the space prior to this walkthrough to ensure your landlord is able to evaluate every nook and cranny. This will also make your move much smoother if you’re able to avoid any last-minute scrambling to squeeze everything in—thus eliminating the probability of you forgetting anything important. 

When communicating with your new landlord, you should come with a few key questions. Be sure to ask the following: 

• When will I receive my keys? 
• Where should I park my car/truck on move-in day? 
• Are there any available service elevators to transport over-sized furniture? 
• Will I need to complete a move-in checklist prior to my arrival? 
• How will I be expected to pay first month’s rent? If you’re paying rent online, will you need to set up a new account? Be sure to hash out these details ASAP to get off on the right foot with your landlord. 

Don’t: Procrastinate 

It’s no secret that moving into a new apartment requires a lot of time, energy and effort. There are so many provisions and procedures that need to be squared away amidst the lengthy process, so it’s only fair to feel stressed and exhausted by the sheer amount of work on your moving agenda.  

However, failure to stay on top of your moving duties, or even just pushing it until the absolute last minute, can almost inevitably lead to bigger problems and entirely avoidable mistakes. To achieve the smoothest moving job, you need to undertake all of the requisite packing, loading and moving arrangements in a timely manner. 

Do: Consider Hiring Professional Movers 

Enlisting the help of a professional mover to streamline and simplify your move will set you up for a smooth and stress-free moving experience. A skilled moving company can be more effective in transporting large objects such as mattresses, couches, over-sized appliances or heavy boxes. By literally outsourcing the heavy lifting to a professional, you can relax and rest assured knowing that your belongings will make it from point A to point B in perfect condition and will be placed into your new home with care.  

Preparing a move into a new apartment can be intimidating and exhausting but with a professional mover by your side, you can gain the peace of mind you deserve throughout the whole process. Movers know the most optimal way to navigate the roads and handle your belongings to keep them secured and protected. 

There are a variety of critical factors that you should take into account when looking for the best movers in your area. Use this list of key considerations to ensure you’re suited up with the best helping hand possible: 

• Budget 
• Reputation 
• Licensing and insurance certificates 
• Budget-friendly rates 

Don’t: Forget to Read Your Lease Carefully 

When the time finally comes to sign your apartment lease agreement, make sure you read it carefully – and then read it again. Make as many notes as you need and ask all questions you may have about anything that doesn’t make sense to you. This is a crucial step before signing. Pay close attention to special policies that may apply to having a pet, visitors, parking or on-site amenity usage. 

Do all of the analyzing you need to do to avoid getting too caught up in the thrill of your new apartment and lease and fall prey to an avoidable mistake that you might regret later. Before signing, verify all terms and conditions to confirm your understanding. 

Do: Make a Packing Checklist

There’s a surprising amount of things you’ll need when making the move into a new apartment – from daily essentials to personal trinkets you can’t do without, your list of things to pack is likely long and all-encompassing. Check out this checklist to figure out what you already have and what you need for your new abode. 

Bedroom 

• Mattress 
• Bed frame 
• Sheets 
• Pillows 
• Comforter 
• Lamp 
• Storage 
• Hangers 
• Hamper 

Bathroom 

• Bath towels 
• Shower curtain 
• Toothbrush and toothpaste 
• Bathmat 
• Toilet brush and plunger 
• Trash can 

Kitchen 

• Appliances (fridge, microwave, blender, toaster, etc.) 
• Utensils 
• Pots and pans 
• Tupperware 
• Glasses and mugs 

Living Space 

• Furniture (coffee table, sofa, chaise, lighting, etc.) 
• Decor
• Electronics (TV, stereo system, smart devices, etc.) 
• Storage 

Wrapping Up 

Armed with the do’s and dont’s above, you can capitalize on your moving operation without anxiety or apprehension.  

Just remember: moving can be exhausting – especially if this is your first apartment – but try not to let the stress take the fun out of the entire experience. You’re finally getting the change of scenery you’ve been dreaming about! Don’t let a few heavy boxes and busy days overtake the glory of it all. So, have some fun with it, and congratulations, you earned it! 

About the author: Tom Mumford is a co-founder of Undergrads Moving, a gig-economy platform that connects college students to customers in the area who need moving services. He is an accomplished entrepreneur with experience in industrial engineering, business administration, and product management. He writes about a variety of topics from entrepreneurship to lifestyle improvement while growing his on-demand moving platform.