Moving in to your new rental property is exciting, and can be stressful!
Here are five tips to remember that will help you during this transition:
Here are five tips to remember that will help you during this transition:
1. Read Your Lease In Advance
To expedite the process of signing your lease and moving in, ask your property management company to send a copy of your lease, or at least a sample copy in advance. This gives you time to reflect on the company’s policies, rules, and procedures and ask questions before you move in. That way there will be no surprises when you go to sign the lease, and you’ll be in and out of the office much in no time!
2. Take Pictures
Most property management companies will have you fill out a “Move-In Condition Report,” which catalogs the state of the unit upon your arrival. This is a very good practice that protects the renter as well as the property manager, and keeps everyone accountable. In addition to the paper report, take pictures of each room. Make sure the picture is date stamped. Do this BEFORE you unload any boxes, so you are sure to get the details of every surface.
3. Document
If there are any changes to your lease, any issues with your apartment, or any answers to questions regarding your apartment and tenancy, ask the property management company for a written copy. Email serves just fine for written copies, and is quick and easy to do. Be sure to keep all this information in a folder for easy access if needed in the future.
4. Check Outlets
Outlets are often forgotten about upon move-in, and assumed to work. However, that’s not always the case. Check every outlet with a hair dryer, or other plug-in appliance which will show automatically if the outlet is working. If you find any that are not working or are loose, contact your property management company immediately to have them fixed.
5. Change Your Address with USPS
Lastly, it is very important to change your address with the US Postal Service! By doing this, any mail that is sent to your old address gets rerouted to your new address instead. It’s very simple to do! Go to a USPS branch, and ask the clerk for a change of mailing address form (one per person). Fill out the form, and return it to the post office. It’s free to do and they even give you a bunch of coupons too!
These tips will make sure you cover important tasks that are too often forgotten. Not only will these tips help you upon move-in, they will also help smooth the transition upon move-out as well! I hope your new rental is one you love to stay in for many years!
Holly Yang, Office Administrator