Almost one-third of Americans rent, and this trend is likely to continue.
People move more frequently in a rental based economy. The average American moves 11 times in their adult life.
Moving is overwhelming and it’s easy for important tasks to be overlooked.
Keep reading for the top five things you need to get done before you return your keys.
1. Start with Organization
Staying organized helps you meet all your goals and deadlines. You should keep a detailed packing and moving schedule to keep yourself organized and on-track.
Spreadsheets are a great way to track your moving tasks. You can easily update and share spreadsheets from your phone. This makes it easy to communicate with other members of your household so everything is accomplished.
2. Move your Utilities
Make sure you transfer all your utilities to your new address before you move in.
Before leaving your old house take down the final meter readings. You want to keep a record of the final reading to compare to your last bill.
Renter’s insurance is a necessity in our unpredictable world; prevent coverage gaps by notifying your insurance company prior to your move.
If you’re moving to a different climate this is a good time to update your coverage against new environmental factors, like flooding or hurricanes.
3. Change Your Address
It’s best to tackle address changes as soon as possible. Begin, by having your mail forwarded to your new address on usps.com. USPS will forward your mail to your new address for up to 12 months.
You should change your address on all other accounts after forwarding your mail. Remember to change all of your bank statements, monthly membership subscriptions, online shopping accounts, etc.
A year can go by quickly, change your address before moving out to avoid missing a single letter.
4. Repair and Clean the Property
Your rental should look exactly like it did when you moved in. Repaint the walls, fix any holes and scrub everything.
It’s in your best interest to properly clean up — landlords often charge exuberant cleaning and repair fees.
Some landlords require tenants to clean carpets or make certain repairs. Consult your lease if you’re unsure about what tasks are required of you before moving out.
5. Organize Your Boxes and Take Everything
Organize your boxes before the moving truck arrives. It’s so much easier to decide how you want the truck loaded before your professional movers begin.
Avoid expensive disposal fees with a last minute look around the house. Check crawl spaces, closets and attics, and make sure you take all your cleaning supplies.
Moving Out is Stressful: Get Help
Moving out is more than just packing boxes. It’s the little tasks that make it so stressful.
It’s important to stay calm and keep yourself organized. And the above to-do list is a great place to start.
Even with color-coded spreadsheets, moving is daunting. Get the help you need and hire professional movers.
